LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
211 .ZIZ
H629
cop. 2
I • H • S ,
THE
HISTORY
OK
Coles County.
ILLINOIS,
CONTAINING
A History of the County — its Cities, Towns, &c. ; a Directory of its
Tax-Payers; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent
Men; General and Local Statistics; Map of Coles
County; History of Illinois, Illustrated;
History of the North >A/-est, Illustrated;
Constitution of the United States,
Miscellaneous Matters,
&c., <&c.
IIjXjTJSTK.A.TEID
CHICAGO:
WM. LE BARON, Jr., & CO., 186 DEARBORN STREET.
1879.
PREFACE
TN presenting our History of Coles County, we deem a few prefatory words
necessary. We have spared neither pains nor expense to fulfill our engagement with
our patrons and make the work as complete as possible. We have acted upon the
principle that justice to those who have subscribed, be they few or many, requires that
the work should be as well done as if it was patronized by every citizen in the county.
We do not claim that our work is entirely free from errors ; such a result could not. be
attained by the utmost care and foresight of ordinary mortals. The County History was
compiled by our historians, W. H. Perrin, A. A. Graham and D. M. Blair, and received
much material and assistance from Judge William E. Adams. Some of the Town-
ship Histories are indeed longer than others, as the townships are older, containing
larger cities and towns, and have been the scenes of more important and interesting
events. While fully recognizing this important difference, the historians have sought to
write up each township with equal fidelity to the facts and information within their
reach. We take this occasion to present our thanks to all our numerous subscribers
for their patronage and encouragement in the publication of the work. In this confident
belief, we submit it to the enlightened judgment of those for whose benefit it has been
prepared, believing that it will be received as a most valuable and complete work.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CHICASO:
Oni.VKK, PAGE, HOYHK A CO., PRTITTSBS,
lit ud lao MoQto* BmrL
^'7
4/
/
i?
CONTENTS.
HISTORIC A JL.
Page.
History North west Territory 19
Geographical 19
Early Exploration 20
Discovery of the Ohio 33
English Explorations and Settle-
ments 35
American Settlements 60
Division of the Northwest Terri-
tory 66
Tecumseh and the war of 1812 70
Black Hawk and the Black Hawk
War 74
Page.
Other Indian Troubles 79
Present Condition of the Northwest 87
Illinois 99
Indiana 101
Iowa 102
Michigan 103
Wisconsin 104
Minnesota 106
Nebraska 107
History of Illinois 109
Goal 125
Compact of 1787 117
Paok^
History of Chicago 132
Early Discoveries 109
Early Settlements 115
Education 129
First French Occupation 112
Genius of La Salle 113
Material Resources 124
Massacre of Fort Dearborn 141
Physical Features 121
Progress of Development 123
Religion and Morals 128
War Record of Illinois 130
II^IilTiSTRATIOXS.
Page.
Source of the Mississippi 21
Mouth of the Mississippi 21
Wild Prairie 23
La Salle Landing on the Shore of
Green Bay 25
Buffalo Hunt 27
Trapping 29
Hunting 32
Iroquois Chief. 34
Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain 43
Indians Attacking Frontiersmen... 56
A Prairie Storm 59
A Pioneer Dwelling 61
Breakiug Prairie 63
Page.
Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chieftain... 69
Indians Attacking a Stockade 72
Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain 75
Big Eagle 80
Captain Jack, the Modoc Chieftain.. 83
Kinzie House 85
Village Residence 86
A Representative Pioneer 87
Lincoln Monument, Springfield, 111. 88
A Pioneer School House 89
Farm View in the Winter 90
High Bridge and Lake Bluff 94
Great Iron Bridge of Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railroad, Cross-
Page.
ing the River at Davenport, Iowa 96 •
A Western Dwelling 109
Hunting Prairie Wolves at an
Early Day lOS
Starved Rock, on the Illinois River,
La Salle County, 111 110
An Early Settlement , 116
Chicago in 1833 133
Old Fort Dearbron in 1830 136
Present site of Lake Street Bridge,
Chicago, in 1833 136
Pioneers' First Winter 142
View of the City of Chicago 144
Shabbona 149
COL.KS COIJKTY HISTORY.
Page.
General History of Coles County. ...223
Ashmore Township 391
Charleston " 289
East Oakland Township 443
Hutton Township 430
Page.
Humbolt Township 469
La Fayette " 478
Maftoon " 324
Morgan " 456
Page.
North Okaw Township .489
Pleasant Grove " 407
Paradise " 496
Seven Hickory " 463
I^ITHOORAPHIC PORTRAITS.
>i
Page.
-^^Adams, W. E 239
-<^ Adams, J. J.. 221
-^Cunningham, J. T 257
I
Page.
Cash, L. S 293
Gordon, John 275
Page.
Pemberton, J. J :U1
Kutherford, H a29
BIOORAPHICAL. SKKTCHKS.
Page.
''> Ashmore Township 592
511
558
607
^Charleston
^^ast Oakland "
iwHutton "
Page.
Humbolt Township 633
La Fayette
Mattoon
Morgan
.689
.539
.620
Page.
North Okaw Township 646
Pleasant Grove " 682
Paradise " 649
Seven Hickory " 639
t
DIRECTORY OF TAX-PAYERS.
^ Page.
"^ivAsbmore Township 669
i^ Charleston " 657
^East Oakland " 777
--Hutton " 675
Page.
Humbolt Township 684
La Fayette " 689
Mattoon " 663
Morgan " 680
Page ,
North Okaw Township 687
Pleasant Grove " 673
Paradise " 691
Seven Hickory " r 682
IV
CONTENTS.
ABSTRACT <>F iril.INOTS STATE LiA^VS.
Page.
Adoption of Children ICO
Bills of Exchange and Promissory
Notes 151
County Courts 155
Conveyances 164
Church Organizations 189
Descent 151
Deeds and Mortgages 157
Drainage 163
Damages from Trespass 169
Definition of Commercial Terms 173
Exemptions from Forced Sale 156
Estrays 157
Fences 168
Forms:
Articles of Agreement 175
Bills of Purchase 174
Bills of Sale 176
Bonds 176
Paoe.
Forms :
Chattel Mortgages 177
Codicil 189
Lease of Farm and Build-
ings 179
Lease of House 180
Landlord's Agreement 180
Notes 174
Notice Tenant to Quit 181
Orders 174
Quit Claim Deed 185
Receipt 174
Real Estate Mortgaged to Secure
Payment of Money 181
Release 186
Tenant's Agreement 180
Tenant's Notice to Quit 181
Warranty Deed 182
Will 187
Paob.
Game 158
Interest 155
Jurisdiction of Courts 151
Limitation of Action 151
Landlord and Tenant 165
Liens 179
Married Women 152
Millers 159
Marks and Brands 159
Paupers 104
Roads and Bridges 161
Surveyors and Surveys ICO
Suggestions to Persons Purchasing
Books by Subscription 190
Taxes 154
Wills and Estates 152
Weights and Measures 158
Wolf Scalps 164
BIISCELiIiANEOIJS.
Page.
Map of Coles County Front
Constitution of the U. S 192
Electors of President and Vice Pres-
ident 206
Practical Rules for Every Day Use.207
U. S. Government Land Measure. ..210
Agricultural Productions of Illi-
nois by Counties, 1870 210
Surveyors" Measure 211
How to Keep Accounts 211
Page.
Interest Table 212
Miscollaneoua Tables ^12
Names of the States of the Union
and their Signification 213
Population of the United States 214
Population of Fifty Principal Cities
of the United States 214
Population and Area of the United
States 215
Population of the Principal Coun-
tries in the World 215
Pack.
Population of Illinois 216-217
State Laws Relating to Interest 218
State Laws Relating to Limitations
of Actions 219
Productions of Agriculture of Illi-
nois 220
Population of Coles Co 699
Business Directory 693
Errata.... 656
mKl QT (Di ® IL ® i
ILLINOIS
R. 7 C
T./4N1
TON
T.I2
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COUNTr
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The Northwest Territory.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States
by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the
United States, It coincided with the area now embraced in the States
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of
Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United
States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi
River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary
of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the
Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National
domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the
" New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old " Northwestern
Territory. "
In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast
magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater
in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States,
including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected
eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula-
tion, at the present time, of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one third of
the entire population of the United States.
Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent
flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far-
stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the
highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent
on the globe.
For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North-
west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United
States.
(19)
20 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in the New
World. He, however, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel
of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than
half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence
to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no
settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that
he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and
disheartened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery
for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize
upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by
DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer
took advantage of these discoveries.
In 1616, four years before the pilgrims " moored their bark on the
wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene-
trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which
run intq Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the
first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from
the discovery of the Mississippi by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian
envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary,
below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent
result; yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders
attempted to spend a Winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes,
nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by
Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude
Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the
Indians of the Nortliwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette
founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two
years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen-
eral of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the
present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a
grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following Spring, where they were
taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken
of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at
Point St. Ignatius, where was founded the old town of Michillimackinac.
During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's residence at St.
Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied
— as all others did then — that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's
children resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come.
Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
21
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22 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOitY.
request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his
king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico
or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe-
dition, prepared foV the undertaking.
On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist-
ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of
discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were
astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade
them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as
exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of
frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But,
nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he
was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region
they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which
the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they
separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the
adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and
Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar-
quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the
town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows,
which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to
thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in
giving them an abundant " chase." This was the farthest outpost to
which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the
year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed
in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake.
He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to
Joliet, said : " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun-
tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths
of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnished to conduct
them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Lidian village on
the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to
witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet
ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the portage,
returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin,
which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown
waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck
out into the broadening current and became conscious that the}^ were
now upon the bosom of th3 Father of Waters. The mystery was about
to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is
beautiful, and on that deliiihtful seventeenth of June must have been
clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
23
Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand
'^ reminded them of the castled shores of their own beautiful rivers of
France." By-and-by, as they drifted along, great herds of buffalo appeared
on the banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could see a
country of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of inhab-
itants yet presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under the fas-
tidious cultivation of lordly proprietors.
-~ •««=—;,
THE WILD PRAIEIE.
On June 25, they went ashore and found some fresh traces of men upon
the sand, and a path which led to the prairie. The men remained in the
boat, and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they discovered a
village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a
half league of the first, inhabited by Indians. They were received most
hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person.
After remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to
about latitude 33°, where they found a village of the Arkansas, and being
satisfied that the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, turned their course
24 THE NORTHWPIST TERtlTTORY.
up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois,
rowed up that stream to its source, and procured guides from that point
to the lakes. " Nowhere on this journey," says Marquette, •' did we see
such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards,
swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River."
The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and
reported their discovery — one of the most important of the age, but of
which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his by
the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette
returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them
until 1675. On the 18th of May, in that year, as he was passing the
mouth of a stream — going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan — he asked
to land at its mouth and celebrate Mass. Leaving his men with the canoe,
he retired a short distance and began his devotions. As much time
passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found
him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefull}'- passed away while at
prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place
fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving
the beloved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been
called Marquette.
While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in
the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were pre-
paring to follow in his footsteps and perfect the discoveries so well begun
by hira. These were Robert de La Salle and Louis Hennepin.
After La Salle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see
the narrative elsewhere), he established himself again among the French
trading posts in Canada. Here he mused long upon the pet project of
those ages — a short way to China and the East, and was busilj^ planning an
expedition up the great lakes, and so across the continent to the Pacific,
when Marquette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind
of LaSalle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by fol-
lowing the Great River northward, or by turning up some of the numerous
western tributaries, the object could easily be gained. He applied to
Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plan,
dim but gigantic. Frontenac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that
LaSalle's idea to connect the great lakes by a chain of forts with the Gulf
of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give un-
measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose adminis-
tration he earnestly hoped all would be realized.
LaSalle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who
warmly approved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received
from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. The Chev-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
25
alier returned to Canada, and busily entered upon his work. He at
once rebuilt Fort Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on
these fresh-water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined
by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Griffin up Lake Erie. He
passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, up Lake St. Clair and
into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy storms. They were
some time at Michillimackinac, where LaSalle founded a fort, and passed
on to Green Bay, the " Baie des Puans" of the French, where he found
a large quantity of furs collected for him. He loaded the Griffin with
these, and placing her under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors,
hK SALLE LANDING ON THE SHORE OP GREEN BAY.
started her on her return voyage. The vessel was never afterward heard
of. He remained about these parts until early in the Winter, when, hear-
ing nothing from the Griffin, he collected all the men — thirty working
men and three monks — and started again upon his great undertaking.
By a short portage they passed to the Illinois or Kankakee, called by
the Indians, "Theakeke," wolf, because of the tribes of Indians called
by that name, commonly known as the Mahingans, dwelling there. The
French pronounced it KiakiTci, which became corrupted to Kankakee.
"Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the
country," about the last of December tliey reached a village of the Illi-
nois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment
26 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
no inhabitants. The Seur de LaSalle being in want of some breadstuffs,
took advantage of the absence of the Indians to help himself to a suffi-
ciency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes
under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village
of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored,
the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward evening,
on the 4th day of January, 1680, they came into a lake which must have
been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Fim-i-te-wi, that
is, a place ivhere there are tnanr/ fat beasts. Here the natives were met
with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent
some time with them, LaSalle determined to erect another fort in that
place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjoining tribes were
trying to disturb the good feeling which existed, and some of his men
were disposed to complain, owing to the hardships and perils of the travel.
He called this fort "' Crevecoeur^' (broken-heart), a name expressive of the
very natural sorrow and anxiet}'- which the pretty certain loss of his ship,
Griffin, and his consequent impoverishment, the danger of hostility on the
part of the Indians, and of mutiny among his own men, might well cause
him. His fears were not entirely groundless. At one time poison was
placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered.
While building this fort, the Winter wore away, the prairies began to
look green, and LaSalle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to
return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in
the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party
to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his jour-
ney. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and
was successfully made, though over an almost u iknown route, and in a
bad season of the year. He safely reached Cana ia, and set out again for
the object of his search.
Hennepin and his party left Fort Crevecoeur on the last of February,
1680. When LaSalle reached this place on his return expedition, he
found the fort entirely deserted, and he was obliged to return again to
Canada. He embarked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after
leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and paddling up the
icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin River
by the 11th of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a
band of Northern Indians, who treated them with great kindness. Hen-
nepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Michael Ako. On this voy-
age they found several beautiful lakes, and " saw some charming prairies."
Their captors were the Isaute or Sauteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux
nation, who took them up the river until about the first of May, when
they reached some falls, which Hennepin christened Falls of St. Anthony
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
27
in honor of his patron saint. Here they took the land, and traveling
nearly two hundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages.
Here they were kept about three months, were treated kindly by their
captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Frenchmen,
BUFFALO HUNT.
headed by one Seur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had pene-
crated thus far by the route of Lake Superior ; and with these fellow-
countrymen Hennepin and his companions were allowed to return to the
borders of civilized life in November, 1680, just after LaSalle had
returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hennepin soon after went
to France, where he published an account of his adventures.
28
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his
vain endeavor to find gold and precioas gems. In the following Spring,
De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wander-
ings, he fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May died. His followers,
reduced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered
about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue them-
selves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brigan-
tines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it
would lead them to the sea, in July they came to the sea (Gulf of
Mexico), and by September reached the Island of Cuba.
They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi ; but,
being so weary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country,
and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they had passed through.
To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving the
first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to possess
this entire country for his king, and in January, 1682, he and his band of
explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed
the portage, passed down the Illinois River, and on the 6th of February,
reached the banks of the Mississippi.
On the 13th they commenced their downward course, which they
pursued with but one interruption, until upon the 6th of March they dis-
covered the three great passages by which the river discharges its waters
into the gulf. La Salle thus narrates the event :
" We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three
leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de LaSalle
went to reconnoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti
meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main
outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the 8th we reascended the river, a
little above its confluence with the sea, to find a dry place beyond the
leMih. of inundations. The elevation of the North Pole was here about
twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, and to
the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription :
Louis Le Grand, Roi De France et de Navarre, regne ; Le neuvieme Avril, 1682.
The Avhole party, under arms, chanted the Te Beum, and then, after
a salute and cries of " Vive le Roi," the column was erected by M. de
LaSalle, wlio, standing near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authority of
the King of France. LaSalle returned and laid the foundations of the Mis-
sissippi settlements in Illinois, thence he proceeded to France, where
another expedition was fitted out, of which he was commander, and in two
succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river by sailing along
the shore of the gulf. On his third voyage he was killed, through the
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
29
treachery of his followers, and the object of his expeditions was not
accomplished until 1699, when D'Iberville, under the authority of the
crown, discovered, on the second of March, by way of the sea, the mouth
of the " Hidden River." This majestic stream was called by the natives
*'' Malhoucliia,'" and by the Spaniards, ''la Palissade,'' from the great
-St Cl-^-" "
ai^LJj
^%.^^
TRAPPING.
number of trees about its mouth. After traversing the several outlets,
and satisfying himself as to its certainty, he erected a fort near its western
outlet, and returned to France.
An avenue of trade was now opened out which was fully improved.
In 1718, New Orleans was laid out and settled by some European colo-
nists. In 1762, the colony was made over to Spain, to be regained by
France under the consulate of Napoleon. In 1803, it was purchased by
30 THE NOliTHWEST TERRITORY.
the United States for the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territory
of Louisiana and commerce of the Mississippi River came under the
charge of the United States. Although LaSalle's labors ended in defeat
and death, he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown
open to France and the world an immense and most valuable country ;
had established several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one
settlement there. " Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this day monu-
ments of LaSalle's labors ; for, though he had founded neither of them
(unless Peoria, which was built nearly upon the site of Fort Crevecoeur,)
it was by those whom he led into the West that these places were
peopled and civilized. He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of
the Mississippi Valley, and as such deserves to be known and honored."
The French early improved the opening made for them. Before the
year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois,
and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary
station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such vil-
lages, the other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of
these missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel Marest,
dated " Aux Cascaskias, autrement dit de I'lmmaculate Conception de
la Sainte Vierge, le 9 Novembre, 1712." Soon after the founding of
Kaskaskia, the missionary, Pinet, gathered a flock at Cahokia, while
Peoria arose near the ruins of Fort Crevecoeur. This must have been
about the year 1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubache river,
(pronounced Wa-ba, meaning summer cloud moving siviftly^ was estab-
lished in 1702, according to the best authorities.* It is altogether prob-
able that on LaSalle's last trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia
and Cahokia. In July, 1701, the foundations of Fort Ponchartrain
were laid by De la Motte Cadillac on the Detroit River. These sta-
tions, with those established further north, were the earliest attempts to
occupy the Northwest Territory. At the same time efforts were being
made to occupy the Southwest, which finally culminated in the settle-
ment and founding of the City of New Orleans by a colony from England
in 1718. This was mainly accomplished through the efforts of the
famous Mississippi Company, established by the notorious John Law,
who so quickly arose into prominence in France, and who with his
scheme so quickly and so ignominiously passed away.
From the time of the founding of these stations for fifty years the
French nation were engrossed with the settlement of the lower Missis-
sippi, and the war with the Chicasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated
• There is considerable dispute about tliis date, some asserting it was founded as late as 1742. Wlien
the new court liouse at Vincennes was erected, all authorities on the subject were carefully examined, and
AV03 fixed upou as the correct date. It was accordingly engraved on the corner-stone of the court house.
i
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 31
injuries, cut off the entire colony at Natchez, Although the company-
did little for Louisiana, as the entire West was then called, yet it opened
the trade through the Mississippi River, and started the raising of grains
indigenous to that climate. Until the year 1750, but little is known of
the settlements in the Northwest, as it was not until this time that the
attention of the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the
New World, which they then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary
among the Illinois, writing from " Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort
Chartres, June 8, 1750, says: "We have here whites, negroes and
Indians, to say nothing of cross-breeds. There are five French villages,
and three villages of the natives, within a space of twenty-one leagues
situated between the Mississippi and another river called the Karkadaid
(Kaskaskias). In the five French villages are, perhaps, eleven hundred
whites, three hundred blacks and some sixty red slaves or savages. The
three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all
told. Most of the French till the soil; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and
horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can
be consumed; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New
Orleans." This city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and
save in the extreme northern part, where only furs and copper ore were
found, almost all the products of the country found their way to France
by the mouth of the Father of Waters. In another letter, dated Novem-
ber 7, 1750, this same priest says : " For fifteen leagues above the
mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being too low
to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans, the lands are only partially
occupied. New Orleans , contains black, white and red, not more, I
think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come all lumber,
bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease ; and above all, pork
and flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce, as forty
vessels and more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans,
plantations are again met with ; the most considerable is a colony of
Germans, some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirty -five
leagues above the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five
or six leagues, are not less than sixty habitations. Fifty leagues farther
up is the Natchez post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners
through fear of the Chickasaws. Here and at Point Coupee, they raise
excellent tobacco. Another hundred leagues brings us to the Arkansas,
where we have also a fort and a garrison for the benefit of the river
traders. * * * From the Arkansas to the Illinois, nearly five hundred
leagues, there is not a settlement. There should be, however, a fort at
the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the
Mississippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no one to
32
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
work them as they deserve." Father Marest, writing from the post at
Vinceniies in 1812, makes the same observation. Vivier also says : " Some
individuals dig lead near the surface and supply the Indians and Canada.
Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are
like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find
silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also
in this country, beyond doubt, copper ore, as from time to time large
pieces are found in the streams."
'^^'^m^^v^j^^^^'' -'
A'/CKCK'
HUNTING.
At the close of the year 1750, the French occupied, in addition to the
lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Du Quesne, one at
the Maumee in the country of the Miamis, and one at Sandusky in what
may be termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest
they had stations at St. Joseph's on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan,
at Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit), at Michillimackanac or Massillimacanac,
Fox River of Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Marie. The fondest dreams of
LaSalle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of
this vast realm, basing their claim on discovery and settlement. Another
nation, however, was now turning its attention to this extensive country,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 33
and hearing of its wealth, began to lay plans for occupying it and for
securing the great profits arising therefrom.
The French, however, had another claim to this country, namely, the
DISCOVERY OF THE OHIO.
This " Beautiful" river was discovered by Robert Cavalier de La-
Salle in 1669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by Joliet
and Marquette.
While LaSalle was at his trading post on the St. Lawrence, he found
leisure to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was the Iroquois.
He not only desired to facilitate his intercourse in trade, but he longed
to travel and explore the unknown regions of the West. An incident
soon occurred which decided hira to fit out an exploring expedition.
While conversing with some Senecas, he learned of a river called the
Ohio, which rose in their country and flowed to the sea, but at such a
distance that it required eight months to reach its mouth. In this state-
ment the Mississippi and its tributaries were considered as one stream.
LaSalle believing, as most of the French at that period did, that the great
rivers flowing west emptied into the Sea of California, was anxious to
embark in the enterprise of discovering a route across the continent to
the commerce of China and Japan.
He repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval of the Gov-
ernor. His eloquent appeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant,
Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, but made no pro-
vision to defray the expenses. At this juncture the seminary of St. Sul-
pice decided to send out missionaries in connection with the expedition,
and LaSalle offering to sell his improvements at LaChine to raise money,
the offer was accepted by the Superior, and two thousand eight hundred
dollars were raised, with which LaSalle purchased four canoes and the
necessary supplies for the outfit.
On the 6th of Jul}^ 1669, the party, numbering twenty-four persons,
embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence ; two additional canoes
carried the Indian guides. In three days they were gliding over the
bosom of Lake Ontario. Their guides conducted them directly to the
Seneca village on the bank of the Genesee, in the vicinity of the present
City of Rochester, New York. Here they expected to procure guides to
conduct tliem to the Ohio, but in this they were disappointed.
The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. LaSalle suspected
that the Jesuits had prejudiced their minds against his plans. After
waiting a month in the hope of gaining their object, they met an Indian
34
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
from the Iroquois colony at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them
that they could there find guides, and offered to conduct them thence.
On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they
heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. AiTiving
XBOyUOlS CUIKF.
among the Iroquois, they met with a friendly reception, and learned
from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks.
Delighted with the unexpected good fortune, they made ready to resume
their journey ; but just as they were about to start they heard of the
arrival of two Frenchmen in a neighboring village. One of them proved
to be Louis Joliet, afterwards famous as an explorer in the West. He
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 35
had been sent by the Canadian Government to explore the copper mines
on Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on his way back to Quebec.
He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the
lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Indians in
that quarter. This induced the priests to determine on leaving the
expedition and going to Lake Superior. LaSalle warned them that the
Jesuits were probably occupying that field, and that they would meet
with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and
after worship on the lake shore, parted from LaSalle. On arriving at
Lake Superior, they found, as LaSalle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers,
Marquette and Dablon, occupying the field.
These zealous disciples of Loyola informed them that they wanted
no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their patron
saint ; and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June
without having made a single discovery or converted a single Indian.
After parting with the priests, LaSalle went to the chief Iroquois
village at Onondaga, where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a
tributary of the Ohio south of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far
as the falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by LaSalle, the
persevering and successful French explorer of the West, in 1669.
The account of the latter part of his journey is found in an anony-
mous paper, which purports to have been taken from the lips of LaSalle
himself during a subsequent visit to Paris. In a letter written to Count
Frontenac in 1667, shortly after the discovery, he himself says that he
discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as
an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio
Valley upon another ground. When Washington was sent by the colony
of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why the French
had built a fort on the Monongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec
replied : " We claim the country on the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries
of LaSalle, and will not give it up to the English. Our orders are to
make prisoners of every Englishman found trading in the Ohio Valley."
ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS.
When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters
and the Great Northwest, all was still wild save at the French posts
already described. In 1749, when the English first began to think seri-
ously about sending men into the West, the greater portion of the States
of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet
under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty
86 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as
1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, had commenced movements to
secure the country west of the Alleghenies to the English crown. In
Pennsylvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the prov-
ince, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the neces-
sity of seciu'ing the Western lands. Nothing was done, however, by that
power save to take some diplomatic steps to secure the claims of Britain
to this unexplored wilderness.
England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
on the ground that the discovery of the seacoast and its possession was a
discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants
to the colonies extended " from sea to sea." This was not all her claim.
She had purchased from the Indian tribes large tracts of land. This lat-
ter was also a strong argument. As early as 1684, Lord Howard, Gov-
ernor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the
great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Onei-
das, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were
taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six Nations.
They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in
1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 1726, a formal deed
was drawn up and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has
often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was
made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the " Colony of
Virginia," for which the Indians received <£200 in gold and a like sum in
goods, with a promise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid.
The Commissioners from Virginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel
William Beverly. As settlements extended, the promise of more pay was
called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with
presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompa-
nied him with the intention of sounding the Indians upon their feelings
regarding the English. They were not satisfied with their treatment,
and plainly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire the
cultivation of the country, but the monopoly of the Indian trade. In
1748, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant
of land beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government
of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hun-
dred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of
June, 1749, 800,000 acres from the line of Canada north and west was
made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29th of October, 1751, 100,000
acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time the French
were not idle. They saw that, should the British gain a foothold in the
West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the French
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 37
settling upon it, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gain
possession of the whole country. Upon the 10th of May, ITT-i, Vaud-
reuil, Governor of Canada and the French possessions, well knowing the
•consequences that must arise from allowing the English to build trading
posts in the Northwest, seized some of their frontier posts, and to further
secure the claim of the French to the West, he, in 1749, sent Louis Cel-
eron with a party of soldiers to plant along the Ohio River, in the mounds
and at the mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which
were inscribed the claims of France. These were heard of in 1752, and
within the memory of residents now living along the "• Oyo," as the
beautiful river was called by the French. One of these plates was found
with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August 16, 1749, and
a copy of the inscription with particular account of the discovery of the
plate, was sent by DeWitt Clinton to the American Antiquarian Society,
among whose journals it may now be found.* These measures did not,
however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and
though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict was gathering, and
it was only a question of time when the storm would burst upon the
frontier settlements. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent by the Ohio
■Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwees,
on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He-
afterward spoke of it as very populous. From there he went down
the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville,
and in November he commenced a survey of the Company's lands. Dur-
ing the Winter, General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the
Greenbriar Company. Meanwhile the French were busy in preparing
their forts for defense, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party
of soldiers to keep the Ohio clear. This party, having heard of the Eng-
lish post on the Miami River, early in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and
Chippewas, attacked it, and, after a severe battle, in which fourteen of
the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison.
(They were probably garrisoned in a block house). The traders were
carried away to Canada, and one account says several were burned. This
fort or post was called by the English Pickawillany. A memorial of the
king's ministers refers to it as " Pickawillanes, in the center of the terri-
tory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probably some
variation of Pickaway or Picqua in 1773, written by Rev. David Jones
Pickaweke."
* Tlie following is a translation of the inscription on tlie plate: "In the year 1749. reign of Louis XV.,
King of France, we, Celeron, commandant of a detachment l)y Monsieur the Marquis of Gallisoniere, cum-
mander-in-chief of New France, to establish tranquility in certain Indian villages of these cantons, have
buried this plate at the confluence of the Toradalioin, this twenty-ninth of July, near the river Oliio, otherwise
Beautiful River, as a monument of renewal of possession whicli we have taken of the said river, and all its
tributaries; inasmuch as the preceding Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms and
'treaties; especially by those of Ryswick, Utrecht, ami Aix La Chapelle."
58 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
This was the first blood shed between the French and English, and
occurred near the present City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about
forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more inter-
ested in the progress of events in the Northwest. The English deter-
mined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they Avished to
occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward Commander-in-chief over Washing-
ton at the commencement of the French War of 1775-1763), Lomax and
Patton were sent in the Spring of 1752 to hold a conference with the
natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lan-
caster already noticed, and to settle all difficulties. On the 9th of June^
these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pitts-
burgh. Here had been a trading point for many years, but it was aban-
doned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize
the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour,^
the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a
chief among the six nations, induced him to use his influence in their
favor. This he did, and upon the loth of June they all united in signing-
a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in its full extent, consenting to a
settlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and guaranteeing that it should
not be disturbed by them. These were the means used to obtain the first
treaty Avith the Indians in the Ohio Valle3^
Meanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-manoeuvre
each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally
outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their con-
tracts. They thereby gained the ill-will of the red men, and further
increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammuni-
tion. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 1758: " The Indians on the Ohio
left you because of your own fault. When we heard the French were
coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The
French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our affections. The
Governor of Virginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, when
we wanted help, forsook us."
At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by
title the lands in the West, but the French had quietly gathered cannoa
and military stores to be in readiness for the expected blow. The Eng-
lish made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until
the Summer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans
of the French. They had sent messages to the French, warning them
away ; but they replied that they intended to complete the chain of forts-
alread}' begun, and would not abandon the field.
Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Ohio regard-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 39
ang the positions and purposes of the French, Governor Dinwiddie of
Virginia determined to send to them another messenger and learn from
them, if possible, their intentions. For this purpose he selected a young
man, a surveyor, who, at the early age of nineteen, had received the rank
of major, and who was thoroughly posted regarding frontier life. This
personage was no other than the illustrious George Washington, who then
held considerable interest in Western lands. He was at this time just
twenty-two years of age. Taking Gist as his guide, the two, accompanied
by four servitors, set out on their perilous march. They left Will's
Creek on the 10th of November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monon-
gahela, about ten miles above the fork. From there they went to
Logstown, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of
the Six Nations. From them he learned the condition of the French, and
also heard of their determination not to come down the river till the fol-
lowing Spring. The Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to
turn either way, and, as far as they could, desired to remain neutral.
Washington, finding nothing could be done with them, went on to
Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the
French had a fort, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery
of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing
•of importance here, he pursued his way amid great privations, and on the
11th of December reached the fort at the head of French Creek. Here
he delivered Governor Dinwiddle's letter, received his answer, took his
observations, and on the 16th set out upon his return journey with no one
but Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him,
notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Their
homeward journe}^ was one of great peril and suffering from the cold, yet
they reached home in safety on the 6th of January, 1754.
From the letter of* St. Pierre, commander of the French fort, sent by
Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, it was learned that the French would
not give up without a struggle. Active preparations were at once made
in all the English colonies for the coming conflict, while the French
finished the fort at Venango and strengthened their lines of fortifications,
and gathered their forces to be in readiness.
The Old Dominion was all alive. Virginia was the center of great
activities ; volunteers were called for, and from all the neighboring
colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac
men were enlisting under the Governor's proclamation — which promised
two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river they were
gathering as far as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent
had come for assistance for his little band of forty-one men, who were
40 Tin-: NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
working away in hiint^er and want, to fortify tliat point at the fork of
the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest.
" The first birds of Spring filled the air with their song ; the swiffc
river rolled l)y tlie Allegheny hillsides, swollen by the melting snows of
Spring and the April showers. The leaves were appearing ; a few Indian
scouts were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand ; and all was so quiet,,
that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, Avho had been left by Trent
in command, ventured to his home at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ten
miles up the Mouongahela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilder-
ness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchment rising at the fork, and.
swift feet had borne the news of it up the river ; and upon the morning-
of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, -who then had charge of it, saw
upon the Allegheny a sight that made his heart sink — sixty batteaux and
three hundred canoes filled with men, and laden deep with cannon and
stores, * * * That evening he supped with his captor, Contrecoeur^
and the next day he was bowed off by the Frenchman, and with his men
and tools, marched up the Monongahela."
The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la
Chapelle, in 1748, had left the boundaries between the French and
English possessions imsettled, and the events already narrated show the
French were determined to hold the country watered by the Mississippi
and its tributaries ; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue
of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from New-
foundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The
first decisive blow had now been struck, and the first attempt of the
English, through the Ohio Company, to occupy these lands, had resulted
disastrously to them. The French and Indians immediately completed
the fortifications begun at the Fork, which they ha^ so easily captured,,
and when completed gave to the fort the name of DuQuesne. Washing-
ton was at Will's Creek when the news of the capture of the fort arrived.
He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched him-
self at a place called the " Meadows," where he erected a fort called
by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of
French and Indians marching against him, but was soon after attacked
in liis fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the
morning of July 4th. He was allowed to return to Virginia.
The English Government immediately planned four campaigns; one
against Fort DuQuesne ; one against Nova Scotia ; one against Fort
Niagara, and one against Crown Point. These occurred during 1755-6»
and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions.
The expedition against Fort DuQuesne was led by the famous General
Braddock, who, refusing to listen to the advice of Washington and those
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 41
acquainted with Indian warfare, suffered such an inglorious defeat. This
occurred on the morning of July 9th, and is generally known as the battle
of Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with
various vicissitudes through the years 1756-7 ; when, at the commence-
ment of 1758, in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secre-
tary of State, afterwards Lord Chatham, active preparations were made to
carry on the war. Three expeditious were planned for this year : one,
under General Amherst, against Louisburg ; another, under Abercrombie,
against Fort Ticonderoga ; and a third, under General Forbes, against
Fort DuQuesne. On the 26th of July, Louisburg surrendered after a
desperate resistance of more than forty days, and the eastern part of the
Canadian possessions fell into the hands of the British. Abercrombie
captured Fort Frontenac, and when the expedition against Fort DuQuesne,
of which Washington had the active command, arrived there, it was
found in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession,
rebuilt the fort, and in honor of their illustrious statesman, changed the
name to Fort Pitt.
The great object of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of
Canada. General Wolfe was to lay siege to Quebec ; Amherst was to
reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideaux was to
capture Niagara. This latter place was taken in July, but the gallant
Prideaux lost his life in the attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderoga
and Crown Point without a blow ; and Wolfe, after making the memor-
able ascent to the Plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated
Montcalm, and on the 18th, the city capitulated. In this engagement
Montcolm and Wolfe both lost their lives. De Levi, Montcalm's successor,
marched to Sillery, three miles above the city, with the purpose of
defeating the English, and there, on the 28th of the following April, was
fousht one of the bloodiest battles of the French and Indian War. It
resulted in the defeat of the French, and the fall of the City of Montreal.
The Governor signed a capitulation by which the whole of Canada was
surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war, but it
was not until 1763 that the treaties of peace between France and England
were signed. This was done on the 10th of February of that year, and
under its provisions all the country east of the Mississippi and north of
the Iberville River, in Louisiana, were ceded to England. At the same
time Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain.
On the 13th of September, 1760, Major Robert Rogers v/as sent
from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post
in the territory. He arrived there on the 19th of November, and sum-
moned the place to surrender. At first the commander of the post,
Beletre, refused, but on the 29tli, hearing of the continued defeat of the
42 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
French arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d
under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom,
no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the
purposes of the EngUsh in taking possession of the country. He was
assured that they came simply to trade with the natives, and did not
desire their country. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much
to insure the safety of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while
on their journey home.
Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23, and was just one
month on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence
across the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the com-
mon trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sandusky to the fork of
the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky City now is,
crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to " Mohickon
John's Town" on Mohickon Creek, the northern branch of White
Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, a Delaware town
on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's Town were probably one
hundred and fifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of
cleared land. From there the track went up Sandy Creek to and across
Big Beaver, and up the Ohio to Logstown, thence on to the fork.
The Northwest Territory was now entirely under the English rule.
New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the promise of a large
trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their promises
with the natives none of those savage butcheries would have been perpe-
trated, and the country would have been spared their recital.
The renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these
atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading
events in his life. The earliest authentic information regarding this
noted Indian chief is learned from an account of an Indian trader named
Alexander Henry, who, in the Spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as
far as Missillimacnac. Pontiac was then a great friend of the French,
but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his
hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise himself as a Canadian
to insure safety, but was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached
him and the English for their attempted subjugation of the West. He
declared that no treaty had been made with them ; no presents sent
them, and that he would resent any possession of the West by that nation.
He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was
civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatamies.
The Indians, from Lake Michigan to the borders of North Carolina,
were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified
February 10, 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
48
PONTIAC, THE OTTAWA CHIEFTAIN.
44 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike every man dead.
Pontiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander
of the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares-
and Minn-oes, who had, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unit©
in this enterprise.
The blow came, as near as can now be ascertained, on May 7, 1768.
Nine British posts fell, and the Indians drank, " scooped up in the hollow
of joined hands," the blood of many a Briton.
Pontiac's immediate field of action was the garrison at Detroit.
Here, however, the plans were frustrated by an Indian woman disclosing
the plot the evening previous to his arrival. Everything was carried out,
however, according to Pontiac's plans until the moment of action, when
Major Gladwyn, the commander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian
chiefs, suddenly drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed
musket. Pontiac, though a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He
saw his plan was known, and that the garrison were prepared. He
endeavored to exculpate himself from any such intentions ; but the guilt
was evident, and he and his followers were dismissed with a sever©
reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post.
Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace
between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1764»
continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular
commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark»
which, to his credit, it may be stated, were punctually redeemed. At
the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went
further south, living many years among the Illinois.
He had given up all hope of saving his country and race. After a
time he endeavored to unite the Illinois tribe and those about St. Louis
in a war with the whites. His efforts were fruitless, and only ended in a
quarrel between himself and some Kaskaskia Indians, one of whom soon
afterwards killed him. His death was, however, avenged by the northern
Indians, who nearly exterminated the Illinois in the wars which followed.
Had it not been for the treachery of a few of his followers, his plan
for the extermination of the whites, a masterly one, would undoubtedly
have been carried out.
It was in the Spring of the year following Rogers' visit that Alex-
ander Henry went to Missillimacnac, and everywhere found the strongest
feelings against the English, who had not carried out their promises, and
were doing nothing to conciliate the natives. Here he met the chief,
Pontiac, who, after conveying to him in a speecli the idea that their
French father would awake soon and utterly destroy his enemies, said :
" Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have not
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 4^
yet conquered us ! We are not your slaves! These lakes, these woodsy
these mountains, were left us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance,
and we will part with them to none. Your nation supposes that we, lik&
the white people, can not live without bread and pork and beef. But you
ought to know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided
food for us upon these broad lakes and in these mountains."
He then spoke of the fact that no treaty had been made with them,
no presents sent them, and that he and his people were yet for war.
Such were the feelings of the Northwestern Indians immediately after
the English took possession of their country. These feelings were no
doubt encouraged by the Canadians and French, who hoped that yet the
French arms might prevail. The treaty of Paris, however, gave to the
English the right to this vast domain, and active preparations were going
on to occupy it and enjoy its trade and emoluments.
In 1762, France, by a secret treaty, ceded Louisiana to Spain, to pre-
vent it falling into the hands of the English, who were becoming masters
of the entire West. The next year the treaty of Paris, signed at Fon-
tainbleau, gave to the English the domain of the country in question.
Twenty years after, by the treaty of peace between the United States
and England, that part of Canada lying south and west of the Great
Lakes, comprehending a large territory which is the subject of these
sketches, was acknowledged to be a portion of the United States ; and
twenty years still later, in 1803, Louisiana was ceded by Spain back to-
France, and by France sold to the United States.
In the half century, from the building of the Fort of Crevecceur by
LaSalle, in 1680, up to the erection of Fort Chartres, many French set*
tlements had been made in that quarter. These have already been
noticed, being those at St. Vincent (Vincennes), Kohokia or Cahokia,
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the American Bottom, a large tract
of rich alluvial soil in Illinois, on the Mississippi, opposite the site of St^
Louis.
By the treaty of Paris, the regions east of the Mississippi, including
all these and other towns of the Northwest, were given over to England^
but they do not appear to have been taken possession of until 1765, when
Captain Stirling, in the name of the Majesty of England, established him-
self at Fort Chartres bearing with him the proclamation of General Gage,
dated December 30, 1764, which promised religious freedom to all Cath-
olics who worshiped here, and a right to leave the country with their
effects if they wished, or to remain with the privileges of Englishmen.
It was shortly after the occupancy of the West by the British that the
war with Pontiac opened. It is already noticed in the sketch of that
chieftain- By it many a; Briton lost his life, and many a frontier settle-
46 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
ment in its infancy ceased to exist. This was not ended until the year
17G4, when, failing to capture Detroit, Niagara and Fort Pitt, his confed-
■eracy became disheartened, and, receiving no aid from the French, Pon-
tiac abandoned the enterprise and departed to the Illinois, among whom
he afterward lost his life.
As soon as these difficulties were definitely settled, settlers began
rapidly to survey the country and prepare for occupation. During the
3'ear 1770, a number of persons from Virginia and other British provinces
explored and marked out nearly all the valuable lands on the Mononga-
hela and along the banks of the Ohio as far as the Little Kanawha. This
was followed by another exploring expedition, in which George Washing-
ton was a party. The latter, accompanied by Dr. Craik, Capt. Crawford
and others, on the 20th of October, 1770, descended the Ohio from Pitts-
bursfh to the mouth of the Kanawha ; ascended that stream about fourteen
miles, marked out several large tracts of land, shot several buffalo, which
were then abundant in the Ohio Valley, and returned to the fort.
Pittsburgh was at this time a trading post, about which was clus-
tered a village of some twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. This
same year, Capt. Pittman visited Kaskaskia and its neighboring villages.
He found there about sixty-five resident families, and at Cahokia only
forty-five dwellings. At Fort Chartres was another small settlement, and
at Detroit the garrison were quite prosperous and strong. For a year
or two settlers continued to locate near some of these posts, generally
Fort Pitt or Detroit, owing to the fears of the Indians, who still main-
tained some feelings of hatred to the English. The trade from the posts
was quite good, and from those in Illinois large quantities of pork and
ilour found their way to the New Orleans market. At this time the
policy of the British Government was strongly opposed to the extension
of the colonies west. In 1763, the King of England forbade, by royal
proclamation, his colonial subjects from making a settlement beyond the
sources of the rivers which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. At the instance
of the Board of Trade, measures were taken to prevent the settlement
without the limits prescribed, and to retain the commerce within easy
reach of Great Britain.
The commander-in-chief of the king's forces wrote in 1769 : " In the
course of a few years necessity will compel the colonists, should they
extend their settlements west, to provide manufactures of some kind for
themselves, and when all connection upheld by commerce with the mother
country ceases, an independency in their government will soon follow."
In accordance with this policy. Gov. Gage issued a proclamation
in 1772, commanding the inhabitants of Vincennes to abandon their set-
tiements and join some of the Eastern Eugiifl' colonies. To this they
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 47
strenuously objected, giving good reasons therefor, and were allowed to
remain. The strong opposition to this policy of Great Britain led to its
change, and to such a course as to gain the attachment of the French
population. In December, 1773, influential citizens of Quebec petitioned
the king for an extension of the boundary lines of that province, which
was granted, and Parliament passed an act on June 2, 1774, extend-
ing the boundary so as to include the territory lying within the present
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
In conseciuence of the liberal policy pursued by the British Govern-
ment toward the French settlers in the West, they were disposed to favor
that nation in the war which soon followed with the colonies ; but the
early alliance between France and America soon brought them to the side
of the war for independence.
In 1774, Gov. Dunmore, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration
to the Western lands. He appointed magistrates at Fort Pitt under the
pretense that the fort was under the government of that commonwealth.
One of these justices, John Connelly, who possessed a tract of land in the
Ohio Valley, gathered a force of men and garrisoned the fort, calling it
Fort Dunmore. This and other parties were formed to select sites for
settlements, and often came in conflict with the Indians, who yet claimed
portions of the valley, and several battles followed. These ended in the
famous battle of Kanawha in July, where the Indians were defeated and
driven across the Ohio.
During the years 1775 and 1776, by the operations of land companies
and the perseveranceof individuals, several settlements were firmly estab-
lished between the Alleghanies and the Ohio River, and western land
speculators were busy in Illinois and on the Wabash. At a council held
in Kaskaskia on July 5, 1773, an association of English traders, calling-
themselves the " lUinois Land Company," obtained from ten chiefs of the
Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Peoria tribes two large tracts of land lying on
the east side of the Mississippi River south of the Illinois. In 1775, a mer-
chant from the Illinois Country, named Viviat, came to Post Vincenne&
as the agent of the association called the " Wabash Land Company." On
the 8th of October he obtained from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs, a deed for
37,497,600 acres of land. This deed was signed by the grantors, attested
by a number of the inhabitants of Vincennes, and afterward recorded in
the office of a notary public at Kaskaskia. This and other land com-
panies had extensive schemes for the colonization of the West ; but all
were frustrated by the breaking out of the Revolution. On the 20th of
April, 1780, the two companies named consohdated under the name of the
" United Illinois and Wabash Land Company." They afterward made
48 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
strenuous efforts to have these grants sanctioned by Congress, but all
signally failed.
When the War of the Revolution commenced, Kentucky w^as an unor-
ganized country, though there were several settlements within her borders.
In Hutchins' Topography of Virginia, it is stated thac at that time
" Kaskaskia contained 80 houses, and nearly 1,000 white and black in-
habitants — the whites being a little the more numerous. Cahokia con-
tains 50 houses and 300 white inhabitants, and 80 negroes. There were
-east of the Mississippi River, about the year 1771 " — when these observa-
tions were made — " 300 white men capable of bearing arms, and 230
negroes."
From 1775 until the expedition of Clark, nothing is recorded and
nothing known of these settlements, save what is contained in a report
made by a committee to Congress in June, 1778. From it the following
extract is made :
" Near the mouth of the River Kaskaskia, there is a village which
appears to have contained nearly eighty families from the beginning of
the late revolution. There are twelve families in a small village at la
Prairie du Rochers, and near fifty families at the Kahokia Village. There
are also four or five families at Fort Chartres and St. Philips, which is five
miles further up the river."
St. Louis had been settled in February, 1764, and at this time con-
tained, including its neighboring towns, over six hundred whites and one
hundred and fifty negroes. It must be remembered that all the country
west of the Mississippi was now under French rule, and remained so until
■ceded again to Sjjain, its original owner, who afterwards sold it and the
country including New Orleans to the United States. At Detroit there
were, according to Capt. Carver, who was in the Northwest from 1766 to
1768, more than one hundred houses, and the river was settled for more
than twenty miles, although poorly cultivated — the people being engaged
in the Indian trade. This old town has a history, which we will here
relate.
It is the oldest town in the Northwest, having been founded by
Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac, in 1701. It was laid out in the form of an
oblong square, of two acres in length, and an acre and a half in width.
As described by A. D. Frazer, who first visited it and became a permanent
resident of the place, in 1778, it comprised within its limits that space
between Mr. Palmer's store (Conant Block) and Capt. Perkins' house
{near the Arsenal building), and extended back as far as the public barn,
and was bordered in front by the Detroit River. It was surrounded by
oak and cedar pickets, about fifteen feet long, set in the ground, and had
four gates — east, west, north and south. Over the first tlu-ee of these
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 49
gates were block houses provided with four guns apiece, each a six-
pounder. Two six-gun batteries were planted fronting the river and in a
parallel direction with the block houses. There were four streets running
€ast and west, the main street being twenty feet wide and the rest fifteen
feet, while the four streets crossing these at right angles were from ten
to fifteen feet in width.
At the date spoken of by Mr. Frazer, there was no fort within the
enclosure, but a citadel on the ground corresponding to the present
northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. The citadel was
inclosed by pickets, and within it were erected barracks of wood, two
stories high, sufficient to contain ten officers, and also barracks sufficient
to contain four hundred men, and a provision store built of brick. The
citadel also contained a hospital and guard-house. The old town of
Detroit, in 1778, contained about sixty houses, most of them one story,
with a few a story and a half in height. They were all of logs, some
hewn and some round. There was one building of splendid appearance,
called the " King's Palace," two stories high, which stood near the east
gate. It was built for Governor Hamilton, the first governor commissioned
by the British. There were two guard-houses, one near the west gate and
the other near the Government House. Each of the guards consisted of
twenty-four men and a subaltern, who mounted regularly every morning
between nine and ten o'clock, Each furnished four sentinels, who were
relieved every two hours. There was also an officer of the day, who pjr-
formed strict dut3% Each of the gates was shut regularly at sunset ;
even wicket gates were shut at nine o'clock, and all the keys were
delivered into the hands of the commanding officer. They were opened
in the morning at sunrise. No Indian or squaw was permitted to enter
town with any weapon, such as a tomahawk or a knife. It was a stand-
ing order that the Indians should deliver their arms and instruments of
every kind before they were permitted to pass the sentinel, and they were
restored to them on their return. No more than twenty-five Indians were
allowed to enter the town at any one time, and they were admitted only
at the east and west gates. At sundown the drums beat, and all the
Indians were required to leave town instantly. There was a council house
near the water side for the purpose of holding council with the Indians.
The population of the town was about sixty families, in all about two
hundred males and one hundred females. This town was destroyed by
fire, all except one dwelling, in 1805. After which the present " new "
town was laid out.
On the breaking out of the Revolution, the British held every post of
importance in the West. Kentucky was formed as a com]3onent part of
Virginia, and the sturdy pioneers of the West, alive to their interests,
50 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
and recogrnizinsf the areat benefits of obtaininsr the control of the trade in
this part of the New World, held steadily to their purposes, and those
within the commonwealth of Kentucky proceeded to exercise their
civil privileges, by electing John Todd and Richard Gallaway,
burgesses to represent them in the Assembly of the parent state.
Early in September of that year (1777) the first court was held
in Harrodsburg, and Col. Bowman, afterwards major, who had arrived
in August, was made the commander of a militia organization which
had been commenced the March previous. Thus the tree of loyalty
was growing. The chief spirit in this far-out colony, who had represented
her the year previous east of the mountains, was now meditating a move
unequaled in its boldness. He had been watching the movements of the
British throughout the Northwest, and understood their whole plan. Ht
saw it was through their possession of the posts at Detroit, Vincennes,
Kaskaskia, and other places, which would give them constant and easy
access to the various Indian tribes in the Northwest, that the British
intended to penetrate the country from the north and soutn, ana annihi-
late the frontier fortresses. This moving, energetic man was Colonel,
afterwards General, George Rogers Clark. He knew the Indians were not
unanimously in accord with the English, and he was convinced that, could
the British be defeated and expelled from the Northwest, the natives
might be easily awed into neutrality ; and by spies sent for the purpose,
he satisfied himself that the enterprise against the Illinois settlements
might easily succeed. Having convinced himself of the certainty of the
project, he repaired to the Capital of Virginia, which place he reached on
November 5th. While he was on his way, fortunately, on October 17th,
Burgoyne had been defeated, and the spirits of the colonists greatly
encouraged thereby. Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at
once entered heartily into Clark's plans. The same plan had before been
agitated in the Colonial Assemblies, but there was no one until Clark
came who was sufficiently acquainted with the condition of affairs at the
scene of action to be able to guide them.
Clark, having satisfied the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of his
plan, received, on the 2d of January, two sets of instructions — one secret,
the other open — the latter authorized him to proceed to enlist seven
companies to go to Kentucky, subject to his orders, and to serve three
months from their arrival in the West. The secret order authorized him
to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of General Hand
at Pittsburgh, and to proceed at once to subjugate the country.
With these instructions Clark repaired to Pittsburgh, choosing rather
to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed
in the colonies in the conflict there. He sent Col. W. B. Smith to Hoi-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 51
ston for the same purpose, but neither succeeded in raising the required
number of men. The settlers in these parts were afraid to le'ave their
own firesides exposed to a vigilant foe, and but few could be induced to
join the proposed expedition. With three companies and several private
volunteers, Clark at length commenced his descent of the Ohio, which he
navigated as far as the Falls, where he took possession of and fortified
Corn Island, a small island between the present Cities of Louisville,
Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. Remains of this fortification may
yet be found. At this place he appointed Col. Bowman to meet him
with such recruits as had reached Kentucky by the southern route, and
as many as could be spared from the station. Here he announced to
the men their real destination. Having completed his arrangements,
and chosen his party, he left a small garrison upon the island, and on the
24th of June, during a total eclipse of the sun, which to them augured
no good, and which fixes beyond dispute the date of starting, he with
his chosen band, fell down the river. His plan was to go by water as
far as Fort Massac or Massacre, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia.
Here he intended to surprise the garrison, and after its capture go to
Cahokia, then to Vincennes, and lastly to Detroit. Should he fail, he
intended to march directly to the Mississippi River and cross it into the
Spanish country. Before his start he received two good items of infor-
mation : one that the alliance had been formed between France and the
United States ; and the other that the Indians throughout the Illinois
country and the inhabitants, at the various frontier posts, had been led to
believe by the British that the " Long Knives" or Virginians, were the
most fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever scalped a foe. With
this impression on their minds, Clark saw that proper management would
cause them to submit at once from fear, if surprised, and then from grati-
tude would become friendly if treated with unexpected leniency.
The march to Kaskaskia was accomplished through a hot July sun,
and the town reached on the evening of July 4. He captured the fort
near the village, and soon after the village itself by surprise, and without
the loss of a single man or by killing any of the enemy. After sufficiently
working upon the fears of the natives, Clark told them they were at per-
fect liberty to worship as they pleased, and to take whichever side of the
great conflict they would, also he would protect them from any barbarity
from British or Indian foe. This had the desired effect, and the inhab-
itants, so unexpectedly and so gratefully surprised by the unlooked
for turn of affairs, at once swore allegiance to the American arms, and
when Clark desired to go to Cahokia on the 6tli of July, they accom-
panied him, and through their influence the inhabitants of the place
surrendered, and gladly placed themselves under his protection. Thus
Ubrary
52 THE NORTHWEST TERKITORY.
the two important posts in Illinois passed from the hands of the English
into the possession of Virginia.
In the person of the priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, Clark found a
powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain possession
of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians within its boun-
daries, he must establish a government for the colonies he had taken.
St. Vincent, the next important post to Detroit, remained yet to be taken
before the Mississippi Valley was conquered. M. Gibault told him that
he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to throw off its connection
with England. Clark gladly accepted his offer, and on the 14th of July,
in company with a fellow-townsman, M. Gibault started on his mission of
peace, and on the 1st of August returned with the cheerful intelligence
that the post on the " Oubache " had taken the oath of allegiance to
the Old Dominion. During this interval, Clark established his courts,
placed garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his
men, sent word to have a fort, which proved the germ of Louisville,
erected at the Falls of the Ohio, and dispatched Mr. Rocheblave, who
had been commander at Kaskaskia, as a prisoner of war to Richmond.
In October the County of Illinois was established by the Legislature
of Virginia, John Todd appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor,
and in November General Clark and his men received the thanks of
the Old Dominion through their Legislature.
In a speech a few days afterward, Clark made known fully to the
natives his plans, and at its close all came forward and swore alle-
giance to the Long Knives. While he was doing this Governor Hamilton,
having made his various arrangements, had left Detroit and moved down
the Wabash to Vincennes intending to operate from that point in reducing
the Illinois posts, and then proceed on down to Kentucky and drive the
rebels from the West. Gen. Clark had, on the return of M. Gibault,
dispatched Captain Helm, of Fauquier County, Virginia, with an attend-
ant named Henry, across the Illinois prairies to command the fort.
Hamilton knew nothing of the capitulation of the post, and was greatly
surprised on his arrival to be confronted by Capt. Helm, who, standing at
the entrance of the fort by a loaded cannon ready to fire upon his assail-
ants, demanded upon what terms Hamilton demanded possession of the
fort. Being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, he surrendered to
the British General, who could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the
force in the garrison.
Hamilton, not realizing the character of the men with whom he was
contending, gave up his intended campaign for the Winter, sent his four
hundred Indian warriors to prevent troops from coming down the Ohio,
THE NOETHWEST TERRITORY. 53
and to annoy the Americans in all ways, and sat quietly down to pass the
Winter. Information of all these proceedings having reached Clark, he
saw that immediate and decisive action was necessary, and that unless
he captured Hamilton, Hamilton would capture him. Clark received the
news on the 29th of January, 1779, and on February 4th, having suffi-
ciently garrisoned Kaskaskia and Cahokia, he sent down the Mississippi
a " battoe," as Major Bowman writes it, in order to ascend the Ohio and
Wabash, and operate with the land forces gathering for the fray.
On the next day, Clark, with his little force of one hundred and
twenty men, set out for the post, and after incredible hard marching
through much mud, the ground being thawed by the incessant spring
rains, on the 22d reached the fort, and being joined by his " battoe," at
once commenced the attack on the post. The aim of the American back-
woodsman was unerring, and on the 24th the garrison surrendered to the
intrepid boldness of Clark. The French were treated with great kind-
ness, and gladly renewed their allegiance to Virginia. Hamilton was
sent as a prisoner to Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement.
During his command of the British frontier posts, he had offered prizes
to the Indians for all the scalps of Americans they would bring to him,
and had earned in consequence thereof the title " Hair-buyer General,"
by which he was ever afterward known.
Detroit was now without doubt within easy reach of the enterprising
Virginian, could he but raise the necessary force. Governor Henry being
apprised of this, promised him the needed reinforcement, and Clark con-
cluded to wait until he could capture and sufficiently garrison the posts.
Had Clark failed in this bold undertaking, and Hamilton succeeded in
uniting the western Indians for the next Spring's campaign, the West
would indeed have been swept from the Mississippi to the Allegheny
Mountains, and the great blow struck, which had been contemplated from
the commencement, by the British.
" But for this small army of dripping, but fearless Virginians, the
union of all the tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies might
have been effected, and the whole current of our history changed."
At this time some fears were entertained by the Colonial Govern-
ments that the Indians in the North and Northwest were inclining to the
British, and under the instructions of Washington, now Commander-in-
Chief of the Colonial army, and so bravely fighting for American inde-
pendence, armed forces were sent against the Six Nations, and upon the
Ohio frontier, Col. Bowman, acting under the same general's orders,
marched against Indians within the present limits of that State. These
expeditions were in the main successful, and the Indians were compelled
to sue for peace.
54 THE NORTHWEST TEKKITOKY.
During this same year (1779) the famous " Land Laws" of Virginia
were passed. The passage of these laws was of more consequence to the
pioneers of Kentucky and the Northwest than the gaining of a few Indian
conflicts. These hiws confirmed in main all grants made, and guaranteed
to all actual settlers their rights and privileges. After providing for the
settlers, the laws provided for selling the balance of the public lands at
forty cents per acre. To carry the Land Laws into effect, the Legislature
sent four Virginians westward to attend to the various claims, over many
of which great confusion prevailed concerning their validity. These
gentlemen opened their court on October 13, 1779, at St. Asaphs, and
continued until April 26, 1780, when they adjourned, having decided
three thousand claims. They were succeeded by the surveyor, who
came in the person of Mr. George May, and assumed his duties on the
10th day of the month whose name he bore. With the opening of the
next year (1780) the troubles concerning the navigation of the Missis-
sippi commenced. The Spanish Government exacted such measures in
relation to its trade as to cause the overtures made to the United States
to be rejected. "The American Government considered they had a right
to navigate its channel. To enforce their claims, a fort was erected below
the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side of the river. The settle-
ments in Kentucky were being rapidly filled by emigrants. It was dur-
ing this year that the first seminary of learning was established in the
West in this young and enterprising Commonwealth.
The settlers here did not look upon the building of this fort in a
friendly manner, as it aroused the hostility of the Indians. Spain had
been friendly to the Colonies during their struggle for independence,
and though for a while this friendship appeared in danger from the
refusal of the free navigation of the river, yet it was finally settled to the
satisfaction of both nations.
The Winter of 1779-80 was one of the most unusually severe ones
ever experienced in the West. The Indians always referred to it as the
"Great Cold." Numbers of wild animals perished, and not a few
pioneers lost their lives. The following Summer a party of Canadians
and Indians attacked St. Louis, and attempted to take possession of it
in consequence of the friendly disposition of Spain to the revolting
colonies. They met with such a determined resistance on the part of the
inhabitants, even the women taking part in the battle, that they were
compelled to abandon the contest. They also made an attack on the
settlements in Kentucky, but, becoming alarmed in some unaccountable
manner, they fled the country in great haste-
About this time arose the question in the Colonial Congress con-
cerning the western lands claimed by Virginia, New York, Massachusetts
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 55
and Connecticut. The agitation concerning this subject finally led New-
York, on the 19th of February, 1780, to pass a law giving to the dele-
gates of that State in Congress the power to cede her western lands for
the benefit of the United States. This law was laid before Consrress
during the next month, but no steps were taken concerning it until Sep-
tember 6th, when a resolution passed that body calling upon the States
claiming western lands to release their claims in favor of the whole body.
This basis formed the union, and was the first after all of those lecrislative
measures which resulted in the creation of the States of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In December of the same
.year, the plan of conquering Detroit again arose. The conquest might
have easily been effected by Clark had the necessary aid been furnished
him. Nothing decisive was done, yet the heads of the Government knew
that the safety of the Northwest from British invasion lay in the capture
and retention of that important jiost, the only unconquered one in the
territory.'
Before the close of the year, Kentucky was divided into the Coun-
ties of Lincoln, Fayette and Jefferson, and the act establishing the Town
of Louisville was passed. This same year is also noted in the annals of
American history as the year in which occurred Arnold's treason to the
United States.
Virginia, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, on the 2d
day of January, 1781, agreed to yield her western lands to the United
States upon certain conditions, which Congress would not accede to, and
■the Act of Cession, on the part of the Old Dominion, failed, nor was
anything farther done until 1783. During all that time the Colonies
were busily engaged in the struggle with the mother country, and in
consequence thereof but little heed was given to the western settlements.
Upon the 16th of April, 1781, the first birth north of the Ohio River of
American parentage occurred, being that of Mary Heckewelder, daughter
of the widely known Moravian missionary, whose band of Christian
Indians suffered in after years a horrible massacre by the hands of the
frontier settlers, who had been exasperated by the murder of several of
their neighbors, and in their rage committed, without regard to humanity,
a deed which forever afterwards cast a shade of shame upon their lives.
For this and kindred outrages on the part of the whites, the Indians
committed many deeds of cruelty which darken the years of 1771 and
1772 in the history of the Northwest.
During the year 1782 a number of battles among the Indians and
frontiersmen occurred, and between the Moravian Indians and the Wyan-
dots. In these, horrible acts of cruelty were practised on the captives,
many of such dark deeds transpiring under the leadership of the notorious
56
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
frontier outlaw, Simon Girty, whose name, as well as those of his brothers,
was a terror to women and children. These occurred chiefly in the Ohio
valleys. Cotemporary with them were several engagements in Kentucky,
in which the famous Daniel Boone engaged, and who, often by his skill
and knowledge of Indian warfare, saved the outposts from cruel destruc-
-4?? -:
INDIANS ATTACKING FIlONTIEltSMKN.
tion. By the close of the year victory had perched upon the American
banner, and on the 30th of November, provisional articles of peace had
been arranged between the Commissioners of England and her uncon-
querable colonies. Cornwallis had been defeated on the 19th of October
preceding, and the liberty of America was assured. On the 19th of
April following, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, peace was
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 57
proclaimed to the army of the United States, and on the 3d of the next
September, the definite treaty which ended our revolutionary struggle
was concluded. By the terms of that treaty, the boundaries of the West
were as follows : On the north the line was to extend along the center of
the Great Lakes ; from the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake ;
thence to the Lake of the Woods ; thence to the head of the Mississippi
River; down its center to the 31st parallel of latitude, then on that line
east to the head of the Appalachicola River ; down its center to its junc-
tion with the Flint ; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's River, and
thence down along its center to the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the cessation of hostilities with England, several posts
were still occupied by the British in the North and West. Among these
was Detroit, still in the hands of the enemy. Numerous engagements
with the Lidians throughout Ohio and Indiana occurred, upon whose
lands adventurous whites would settle ere the title had been acquired by
the proper treaty.
To remedy this latter evil. Congress appointed commissioners to
treat with the natives and purchase their lands, and prohibited the set-
tlement of the territory until this could be done. Before the close of the
year another attempt was made to capture Detroit, which was, however,
not pushed, and Virginia, no longer feeling the interest in the Northwest
she had formerly done, withdrew her troops, having on the 20th of
December preceding authorized the whole of her possessions to be deeded
to the United States. This was done on the 1st of March following, and
the Northwest Territory passed from the control of the Old Dominion.
To Gen. Clark and his soldiers, however, she gave a tract of one hundred
and fifty thousand acres of land, to be situated any where north of the
Ohio wherever they chose to locate them. They selected the region
opposite the falls of the Ohio, where is now the dilapidated village of
Clarksville, about midway between the Cities of New Albany and Jeffer-
sonville, Indiana.
While the frontier remained thus, and Gen. Haldimand at Detroit
refused to evacuate alleging that he had no orders from his King to do
so, settlers were rapidly gathering about the inland forts. In the Spring
of 1784, Pittsburgh was regularly laid out, and from the journal of Arthur
Lee, who passed through the town soon after on his way to the Indian
council at Fort Mcintosh, we suppose it was not very prepossessing in
appearance. He says :
" Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who
live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as if in the north of Ireland or
even Scotland. There is a great deal of trade carried on, the goods being
bought at the vast expense of forty-five shillings per pound from Phila-
58 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
delphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops flour, wheat, skins and
money. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a
priest of any persuasion, nor. church nor chapel."
Kentucky at this time contained thirty thousand inhabitants, and
was beu'inning to discuss measures for a separation from Virginia. A
kind office was opened at Louisville, and measures were adopted to take
defensive precaution against the Indians who were yet, in some instances,
incited to deeds of violence by the British. Before the close of this year,
1784, the military claimants of land began to occupy them, although no
entries wei'e recorded until 1787.
The Indian title to the Northwest was not yet extinguished. They
held lai-ge tracts of lands, and in order to prevent bloodshed Congress
adopted means for treaties with the original owners and provided for the
surveys of the lands gained thereby, as well as for those north of the
Ohio, now in its possession. On January 31, 1786, a treaty was made
with the Wabash Indians. The treaty of Fort Stanwix had been made
in 1784. That at Fort Mcintosh in 1785, and through these much land
was gained. The Wabash Indians, however, afterward refused to comply
with the provisions of the treaty made with them, and in order to compel
their adherence to its provisions, force was used. Daring the year 1786,
the free navigation of the Mississippi came up in Congress, and caused
various discussions, which resulted in no definite action, only serving to
excite speculation in regard to the western lands. Congress had promised
bounties of land to the soldiers of the Revolution, but owing to the
unsettled condition of affairs along the Mississippi respecting its naviga-
tion, and the trade of the Northwest, that body had, in 1783, declared
its inability to fulfill these promises until a treaty could be concluded
between the two Governments. Before the close of the year 1786, how-
ever, it was able, through the treaties with the Indians, to allow some
grants and the settlement thereon, and on the 14th of September Con-
necticut ceded to the General Government the tract of land known as
the " Connecticut Reserve," and before the close of the following year a
large tract of land north of the Ohio was sold to a company, who at once
took measures to settle it. By the provisions of this grant, the company
were to pay the United States one dollar per acre, subject to a deduction
of one-third for bad lands and other contingencies. They received
750,000 acres, bounded on the south by the Ohio, on the east by the
seventli range of townships, on the west by the sixteenth range, and on
the north by a line so drawn as to make the grant complete without
the reservations. In addition to this. Congress afterward granted 100,000
acres to actual settlers, and 214,285 acres as army bounties under the
resolutions of 1789 and 1790.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
69
While Dr. Cutler, one of the agents of the company, was pressing
its claims before Congress, that body was bringing into form an ordinance
for the political and social organization of this Territory. When the
cession was made by Virginia, in 1784, a plan was offered, but rejected.
A motion had been made to strike from the proposed plan the prohibition
of slavery, which prevailed. The plan was then discussed and altered,
and finally passed unanimously, with the exception of South Carolina.
By this proposition, the Territory was to have been divided into states
A PRAIRIE STOKJI.
by parallels and meridian lines. This, it was thought, would make ten
states, which were to have been named as follows — beginning at the
northwest corner and going southwardly : Sylvania, Michigania, Cher-
sonesus, Assenisipia, Metropotamia, Illenoia, Saratoga, Washington, Poly-
potamia and Pelisipia.
There was a more serious objection to this plan than its category of
names, — the boundaries. The root of the difficulty was in the resolu-
tion of Congress passed in October, 1780, which fixed the boundaries
of the ceded lands to be from one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles
60 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
square. These resolutions being presented to the Legislatures of Vir-
ginia and Massachusetts, they desired a change, and in July, 1786, the
subject was taken up in Congress, and changed to favor a division into
not more than five states, and not less than three. This was approved by
the State Legislature of Virginia. The subject of the Government was
again taken up by Congress in 1786, and discussed throughout that year
and until July, 1787, when the famous "Compact of 1787" was passed,
and the foundation of the government of the Northwest laid. This com-
pact is fully discu-sed and explained in the history of Illinois in this book,
and to it the reader is referred.
The passage of this act and the grant to the New England Company
was soon followed by an application to the Government by John Cleves
Symmes, of New Jersey, for a grant of the land between the Miamis.
This gentleman had visited these lands soon after the treaty of 1786, and,
being greatly pleased with them, offered similar terms to those given to the
New England Company. The petition was referred to the Treasury
Board with power to act, and a contract was concluded the following
year. During the Autumn the directors of the New England Company
were preparing to occupy their grant the following Spring, and upon the
23d of November made arrangements for a party of forty-seven men,
under the superintendency of Gen. Rufus Putnam, to set forward. Six
boat-builders were to leave at once, and on the first of January the sur-
veyors and their assistants, twenty-six in number, were to meet at Hart-
ford and proceed on their journey westward ; the remainder to follow as
soon as possible. Congress, in the meantime, upon the od of October,
had ordered seven hundred troops for defense of the western settlers, and
to prevent unauthorized intrusions ; and two days later appointed Arthur
St. Clair Governor of the Territory of the Northwest.
AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS.
The civil organization of the Northwest Territory was now com-
plete, and notwithstanding the uncertainty of Indian affairs, settlers from
the East began to come into the country rapidly. The New England
Company sent their men during the Winter of 1787-8 pressing on over
the Alleghenies by the old Indian path which had been opened into
Braddock's road, and which has since been made a national turnpike
from Cumberland westward. Through the weary winter days they toiled
on, and by April were all gathered on the Yohiogany, where boats had
been built, and at once started for the Muskingum. Here they arrived
on the 7th of that month, and unless the Moravian missionaries be regarded
as the pioneers of Ohio, this little band can justly claim that honor.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
61
Gen. St. Clair, the appointed Governor of the Northwest, not having
yet arrived, a set of laws were passed, written out, and published by
being nailed to a tree in the embryo town, and Jonathan Meigs appointed
to administer them.
Washington in writing of this, the first American settlement in the
Northwest, said : " No colony in America was ever settled under
such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at Muskingum.
Information, property and strength will be its characteristics. I know
many of its settlers personally, and there never were men better calcu-
lated to promote the welfare of such a community.'"
r^^
A PIONEER DAVELT.INO.
On the 2d of July a meeting of the directors and agents was held
on the banks of the Muskingum, " for the purpose of naming the new-
born city and its squares." As yet the settlement was known as the
"Muskingum," but that was now changed to the name Marietta, in honor
of Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the block -houses stood
was called '■'• Campus Martins ;'' square number 19, '■'Capitolium ;'' square
number 61, ^'■Cecilia;''' and the great road through the covert way, " Sacra
Via." Two days after, an oration was delivered by James M. Varnum,
who with S. H. Parsons and John Armstrong had been appointed to the
judicial bench of the territory on the 16th of October, 1787. On July 9,
Gov. St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume form. The act
of 1787 provided two district grades of government for the Northwest,
62 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
under the first of which the whole power was invested in the hands of a
governor and three district judges. This was immediately formed upon
the Governor's arrival, and the first laws of the colony passed on the 25th
of July. These provided for the organization of the militia, and on the
next day appeared the Governor's proclamation, erecting all that country
that had been ceded by the Indians east of the Scioto River into the
County of Washington. From that time forward, notwithstanding the
doubts yet existing as to the Indians, all Marietta prospered, and on the
2d of September the first court of the territory was held with imposing
ceremonies.
The emigration westward at this time was very great. The com-
mander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four
thousand five hundred persons as having passed that post between Feb-
ruary and June, 1788 — many of whom would have purchased of the
"Associates," as the New England Company was called, had they been
ready to receive them.
On the 26th of November, 1787, Symmes issued a pamphlet stating
the terms of his contract and the plan of sale he intended to adopt. In
January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest
in Symmes' purchase, and located among other tracts the sections upon
which Cincinnati has been built. Retaining one-third of this locality, he
sold the other two-thirds to Robert Patterson and John Filson, and the
three, about August, commenced to lay out a town on the spot, which
was designated as being opposite Licking River, to the mouth of which
they proposed to have a road cut from Lexington. The naming of the
town is thus narrated in the "Western Annals " : — " Mr. Filson, who had
been a schoolmaster, was appointed to name the town, and, in respect to
its situation, and as if with a prophetic perception of the mixed race that
were to inhabit it in after days, he named it Losantiville, which, being
interpreted, means : ville, the town ; anti^ against oi' opposite to ; os, the
mouth ; L. of Licking."
Meanwhile, in July, Symmes got thirty persons and eight four-horse
teams under way for the West. These reached Limestone (now Mays-
ville) in September, where were several persons from Redstone. Here
Mr. Symmes tried to found a settlement, but the great freshet of 1789
caused the " Point," as it was and is yet called, to be fifteen feet under
water, and the settlement to be abandoned. The little band of settlers
removed to the mouth of the Miami. Before Symmes and his colony left
the " Point," two settlements had been made on his purchase. The first
was by Mr. Stiltes, the original projector of the whole plan, who, with a
colony of Redstone people, had located at the mouth of the Miami,
whither Symmes went with his Maysville colony. Here a clearing had
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
63
been made by the Indians owing to the great fertility of the soiL Mr.
Stiltes with his colony came to this place on the 18th of November, 1788,
with twenty-six persons, and, building a block-house, prepared to remain
through the Winter. They named the settlement Columbia. Here they
were kindly treated by the Indians, but suffered greatly from the flood
of 1789.
On the 4th of March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States
went into operation, and on April 30, George Washington was inaug-
urated President of the American people, and during the next Summer,
an Indian war was commenced by the tribes north of the Ohio. The
President at first used pacific means ; but these failing, he sent General
Harmer against the hostile tribes. He destroyed several villages, but
'^k'&^tuK'^^'
BREAKING PKAIRIE.
was defeated in two battles, near the present City of Fort Wayne,
Indiana. From this time till the close of 1795, the principal events were
the wars with the various Indian tribes. In 1796, General St. Clair
was appointed in command, and marched against the Indians ; but while
he was encamped on a stream, the St. Mary, a branch of the Maumee,
he was attacked and defeated with the loss of six hundred men.
General Wayne was now sent against the savages. In August, 1794,
he met them near the rapids of the Maumee, and gained a complete
victory. This success, followed by vigorous measures, compelled the
Indians to sue for peace, and on the 30th of July, the following year, the
treaty of Greenville was signed by the principal chiefs, by which a large
tract of country was ceded to the United States.
Before proceeding in our narrative, we will pause to notice Fort
Washington, erected in the early part of this war on the site of Cincinnati.
Nearly all of the great cities of the Northwest, and indeed of the
64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
whole country, have had their nuclei in those rude pioneer structures,
known as forts or stockades. Thus Forts Dearborn, Washington, Pon-
chartrain, mark the original sites of the now proud Cities of Chicago,
Cincinnati and Detroit. So of most of the flourishing cities east and west
of the Mississippi. Fort Washington, erected by Doughty in 1790, was a
rude but highly interesting structure. It was composed of a number of
strongly-built hewed log cabins. Those designed for soldiers' barracks
were a story and a half high, while those composing the officers quarters
were more imposing and more conveniently arranged and furnished.
The whole were so placed as to form a hollow square, enclosing about an
acre of ground, with a block house at each of the four angles.
The logs for the construction of this fort were cut from the ground
upon which it was erected. It stood between Third and Fourth Streets
of the present city (Cincinnati) extending east of Eastern Row, now
Broadway, which was then a narrow alley, and the eastern boundary of
of the town as it was originally laid out. On the bank of the river,
immediately in front of the fort, was an appendage of the fort, called the
Artificer's Yard. It contained about two acres of ground, enclosed by
small contiguous buildings, occupied by workshops and quarters of
laborers. Within this enclosure there was a large two-story frame house,
familiarly called the " Yellow House," built for the accommodation of
the Quartermaster General. For many years this was the best finished
and most commodious edifice in the Queen City. Fort Washington was
for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military governments
of the Northwestern Territory.
Following the consummation of the treaty various gigantic land spec-
ulations were entered into by different persons, who hoped to obtain
from the Indians in Michigan and northern Indiana, large tracts of lands.
These were generally discovered in time to prevent the outrageous
schemes from being carried out, and from involving the settlers in war.
On October 27, 1795, the treaty between the United States and Spain
was signed, whereby the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured.
No sooner had the treaty of 1795 been ratified than settlements began
to pour rapidly into the West. The great event of the year 1796 was the
occupation of that part of the Northwest including Michigan, which was
this year, under the provisions of the treaty, evacuated by the British
forces. The United States, owing to certain conditions, did not feel
justified in addressing the authorities in Canada in relation to Detroit
and other frontier posts. When at last the British authorities were
called to give them up, they at once complied, and General Wayne, who
had done so much to preserve the frontier settlements, and who, before
the year's close, sickened and died near Erie, transferred his head-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 65
quarters to the neighborhood of the hikes, where a county named after
him was formed, which included the northwest of Ohio, all of Michigan,
and the northeast of Indiana. During this same year settlements were
formed at the present City of Chillicothe, along the Miami from Middle-
town to Piqua, while in the more distant West, settlers and speculators
began to appear in great numbers. In September, the City of Cleveland
was laid out, and during the Summer and Autumn, Samuel Jackson and
Jonathan Sharpless erected the first manufactory of paper — the " Red-
stone Paper Mill" — in the West. St. Louis contained some seventy
houses, and Detroit over three hundred, and along the river, contiguous
to it, were more than three thousand inhabitants, mostly French Canadians,
Indians and half-breeds, scarcely any Americans venturing yet into that
part of the Northwest.
The election of representatives for the territory had taken place,
and on the 4th of February, 1799, they convened at Losantiville — now
known as Cincinnati, having been named so by Gov. St. Clair, and
considered the capital of the Territory — to nominate persons from whom
the members of the Legislature were to be chosen in accordance with
a previous ordinance. This nomination being made, the Assembly
adjourned until the 16th of the following September. From those named
the President selected as members of the council, Henry Vandenburg,
of Vincennes, Robert Oliver, of Marietta, James Findlay and Jacob
Burnett, of Cincinnati, and David Vance, of Vanceville. On the 16th
of September the Territorial Legislature met, and on the 24th the two
houses were duly organized, Henry Vandenburg being elected President
of the Council.
The message of Gov. St. Clair was addressed to the Legislature
September 20th, and on October 13th that body elected as a delegate to
Congress Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, who received eleven of the votes
cast, being a majority of one over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair, son of
Gen. St. Clair.
The whole number of acts passed at this session, and approved by
the Governor, were thirty-seven — eleven others were passed, but received
his veto. The most important of those passed related to the militia, to
the administration, and to taxation. On the 19th of December this pro-
tracted session of the first Legislature in the West was closed, and on the
30th of December the President nominated Charles Willing Brvd to the
office of Secretary of the Territory vice Wm. Henry Harrison, elected to
Congress. The Senate confirmed his nomination the next day.
66 THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY.
DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The increased emigration to the Northwest, the extent of the domain,
and the inconvenient modes of travel, made it very difficult to conduct
the ordinary operations of government, and rendered the efficient action
of courts almost impossible. To remedy this, it was deemed advisable to
divide the territory for civil purposes. Congress, in 1800, appointed a
committee to examine the question and report some means for its solution.
This committee, on the 3d of March, reported that :
" In the three western countries there has been but one court having
cognizance of crimes, in five years, and the immunity which offenders
experience attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and abandoned crim-
inals, and at the same time deters useful citizens from making settlements
in such society. The extreme necessity of judiciary attention and assist-
ance is experienced in civil as well as in criminal cases. * * * * To
minister a remedy to these and other evils, it occurs to this committee
that it is expedient that a division of said territory into two distinct and
separate governments should be made ; and that such division be made
by a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, running
directly north until it intersects the boundary between the United States
and Canada."
The report was accepted by Congress, and, in accordance with its
suggestions, that body passed an Act extinguishing the Northwest Terri-
tory, which Act was approved May 7. Among its provisions were these :
" That from and after July 4 next, all that part of the Territory of
the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward
of a line beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the
Kentucky River, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north
until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and
Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a
separate territory, and be called the Indiana Territory."
After providing for the exercise of the civil and criminal powers of
the territories, and other provisions, the Act further provides :
" That until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Legislatures of the
said Territories, respectively, Chillicothe on the Scioto River shall be the
seat of government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the
Ohio River ; and that St. Vincennes on the Wabash River shall be the
seat of government for the Indiana Territory."
Gen. Wm. Heni'y Harrison was appointed Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and entered upon his duties about a year later. Connecticut
also about this time released her claims to the reserve, and in March a law
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 67
was passed accepting this cession. Settlements had been made upon
thirty-five of the townships in the reserve, mills had been built, and seven
hundred miles of road cut in various directions. On the 3d of November
the General Assembly met at Chillicothe. Near the close of the year,
the first missionary of the Connecticut Reserve came, who found no
township containing more than eleven families. It was upon the first of
October that the secret treaty had been made between Napoleon and the
King of Spain, whereby the latter agreed to cede to France the province
of Louisiana. ••
In January, 1802, the Assembly of the Northwestern Territory char-
tered the college at Athens. From the earliest dawn of the western
colonies, education was promptly provided for, and as early as 1787,
newspapers were issued from Pittsburgh and Kentucky, and largely read
throughout the frontier settlements. Before the close of this year, the
Congress of the United States granted to the citizens of the Northwestern
territory the formation of a State government. One of the provisions of
the "compact of 1787" provided that whenever the number of inhabit-
ants within prescribed limits exceeded 45,000, they should be entitled to
a separate government. The prescribed limits of Ohio contained, from a
census taken to ascertain the legality of the act, more than that number,
and on the 30th of April, 1802, Congress passed the act defining its limits,
and on the 29th of November the Constitution of the new State of Ohio,
so named from the beautiful river forming its southern boundary, came
into existence. The exact limits of Lake Michigan were not then known,
but the territory now included within the State of Michigan was wholly
within the territory of Indiana.
Gen. Harrison, while residing at Vincennes, made several treaties
with the Indians, thereby gaining large tracts of lands. The next year is
memorable in the history of the West for the purchase of Louisiana from
France by the United States for $15,000,000. Thus by a peaceful mode,
the domain of the United States was extended over a large tract of
country west of the Mississippi, and was for a time under the jurisdiction
of the Northwest government, and, as has been mentioned in the early
part of this narrative, was called the "New Northwest." The limits
of this history will not allow a description of its territory. The same year
large grants of land were obtained from the Indians, and the House of
Representatives of the new State of Ohio signed a bill respecting the
College Township in the district of Cincinnati.
Before the close of the year, Gen. Harrison obtained additional
grants of lands from the various Indian nations in Indiana and the present
limits of Illinois, and on the 18th of August, 1804, completed a treaty at
St. Louis, whereby over 51,000,000 acres of lands were obtained from the
68 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOBY.
aborigines. Measures were also taken to learn the condition of affairs in
and about Detroit.
C. Jouett, the Indian agent in Michigan, still a part of Indiana Terri-
tory, reported as follows upon the condition of matters at that ipost :
" The Town of Detroit. — The charter, which is for fifteen miles
square, was granted in the time of Louis XIV. of France, and is now,
from the best information I have been able to get, at Quebec. Of those
two hundred and twenty-five acres, only four are occupied by the town
and Fort Lenault. The remainder is a common, except twenty-four
acres, which were added twenty years ago to a farm belonging to Wm.
Macomb. * * * A stockade incloses the town, fort and citadel. The
pickets, as well as the public houses, are in a state of gradual decay. The
streets are narrow, straight and regular, and intersect each other at right
angles. The houses are, for the most part, low and inelegant."
During this year, Congress granted a township of land for the sup-
port of a college, and began to offer inducements for settlers in these
wilds, and the country now comprising the State of Michigan began to
fill rapidly with settlers along its southern borders. This same year, also,
a law was passed organizing the Southwest Territory, dividing it into two
portions, the Territory of New Orleans, which city was made the seat of
government, and the District of Louisiana, which was annexed to the
domain of Gen. Harrison.
On the 11th of January, 1805, the Territory of Michigan was formed,
Wm. Hull was appointed governor, with headquarters at Detroit, the
change to take effect on June 30. On the 11th of that month, a fire
occurred at Detroit, which destroj'^ed almost every building in the place.
When the officers of the new territory reached the post, they found it in
ruins, and the inhabitants scattered throughout the country. Rebuild-
ing, however, soon commenced, and ere long the town contained more
houses than before the fire, and many of them much better built.
While this was being done, Indiana had passed to the second grade
of government, and through her General Assembly had obtained large
tracts of land from the Indian tribes. To all this the celebrated Indian,
Tecumthe or Tecumseh, vigorously protested, and it was the main cause
of his attempts to unite the various Indian tribes in a conflict with the
settlers. To obtain a full account of these attempts, the workings of the
British, and the signal failure, culminating in the death of Tecumseh at
the battle of the Tliames, and the close of the war of 1812 in the Northwest,
we will step aside in our story, and relate the principal events of his life,
and his connection with this conflict.
THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY.
6y
TECUMSEH, THE SHAWANOE CHIEFTAIN.
70 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORT.
TECUMSEH, AND THE WAR OF 1812.
This famous Indian chief was born about the year 1768, not far from
the site of the present City of Piqua, Ohio. His father, Puckeshinwa^
was a member of the Kisopok tribe of the Swanoese nation, and his.
mother, Methontaske, was a member of the Turtle tribe of the same
people. They removed from Florida about the middle of the last century
to the birthplace of Tecumseh. In 1774, his father, who had risen to be
chief, was slain at the battle of Point Pleasant, and not long after Tecum-
seh, by his bravery, became the leader of his tribe. In 1795 he was-
declared chief, and then lived at Deer Creek, near the site of the
present City of Urbana. He remained here about one year, when he
returned to Piqua, and in 1798, he went to White River, Indiana. In
1805, he and his brother, Laulewasikan (Open Door), who had announced
himself as a prophet, went to a tract of land on the Wabash River, given
them by the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos, From this date the chief
comes into prominence. He was now about thirty-seven years of age,
was five feet and ten inches in height, was stoutly built, and possessed of
enormous powers of endurance. His countenance was naturally pleas-
ing, and he was, in general, devoid of those savage attributes possessed
by most Indians. It is stated he could read and write, and had a confi-
dential secretary and adviser, named Billy Caldwell, a half-breed, who
afterward became chief of the Pottawatomies. He occupied the first
house built on the site of Chicago. At this time, Tecumseh entered
upon the great work of his life. He had long objected to the grants of
land made by the Indians to the whites, and determined to unite all the
Indian tribes into a league, in order that no treaties or grants of land
could be made save by the consent of this confederation.
He traveled constantly, going from north to south ; from the south
to the north, everywhere urging the Indians to this step. He was a
matchless orator, and his burning words had their effect.
Gen. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, by watching the move-
ments of the Indians, became convinced £hat a grand conspiracy was
forming, and made preparations to defend the settlements. Tecumseh's
plan was similar to Pontiac's, elsewhere described, and to the cunning
artifice of that chieftain was added his own sagacity.
During the yeav 1809, Tecumseh and the prophet were actively pre-
paring for the work. In that year. Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty
with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel River Indians
and Weas, in which these tribes ceded to the whites certain lands upon
the Wabash, to all of which Tecumseh entered a bitter protest, averring
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 71
as one principal reason that he did not want the Indians to give up any
lands north and west of the Ohio River.
Tecumseh, in August, 1810, visited the General at Vincennes and
held a council relating to the grievances of the Indians. Becoming unduly
a,ngry at this conference he was dismissed from the village, and soon after
departed to incite the southern Indian tribes to the conflict.
Gen. Harrison determined to move upon the chief's headquarters at
Tippecanoe, and for this purpose went about sixty-five miles up the
Wabash, where he built Port Harrison. From this place he went to the
prophet's town, where he informed the Indians he had no hostile inten-
tions, provided they were true to the existing treaties. He encamped
near the village early in October, and on the morning of November 7, he
was attacked by a large force of the Indians, and the famous battle of
Tippecanoe occurred. The Indians were routed and their town broken
Tip. Tecumseh returning not long after, was greatly exasperated at his
brother, the prophet, even threatening to kill him for rashly precipitating
the war, and foiling his (Tecumseh's) plans.
Tecumseh sent word to Gen. Harrison that he was now returned
from the South, and was ready to visit the President as had at one time
previously been proposed. Gen. Harrison informed him he could not go
as a chief, which method Tecumseh desired, and the visit was never
made.
In June of the following year, he visited the Indian agent at
Fort Wayne. Here he disavowed any intention to make a war against
the United States, and reproached Gen. Harrison for marching against his
people. The agent replied to this ; Tecumseh listened with a cold indif-
ference, and after making a few general remarks, with a haughty air drew
his blanket about him, left the council house, and dejDarted for Fort Mal-
•den, in Upper Canada, where he joined the British standard.
He remained under this Government, doing eflFective work for the
Crown while engaged in the war of 1812 which now opened. He was,
however, always humane in his treatment of the prisoners, never allow-
ing his warriors to ruthlessly mutilate the bodies of those slain, or wan-
tonly murder the captive.
In the Summer of 1813, Perry's victory on Lake Erie occurred, and
:sliortly after active preparations were made to capture Maiden. On the
.27th of September, the American army, under Gen. Harrison, set sail for
the shores of Canada, and in a few hours stood around the ruins of Mal-
'den, from which the British army, under Proctor, had retreated to Sand-
wich, intending to make its way to the heart of Canada by the Valley of
the Thames. On the 29th Gen. Harrison was at Sandwich, and Gen.
McArthur took possession of Detroit and the territory of Michigan.
72
THE NORTHWKST TERRITORY.
On the 2d of October, the Americans began their pursuit of Proctor^
whom they overtook on the 5th, and the battle of the Thames followed.
Early in the engagement, Tecumseh who was at the head of the column
of Indians was slain, and they, no longer hearing the voice of their chief-
tain, fled. The victory was decisive, and practically closed the war in
the Northwest.
^u^i'itu.i
INDIANS ATTACKING A STOCKADE.
Just who killed the great chief has been a matter of much dispute ;
but the weight of opinion awards the act to Col. Richard M. Johnson^
who fired at him with a pistol, the shot proving fatal.
In 1805 occurred Burr's Insurrection. He took possession of a
beautiful island in the Ohio, after the killing of Hamilton, and is charged
by many with attempting to set up an independent government. His
plans were frustrated by the general government, his property confiscated
and he was compelled to flee the country for safety.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 73
In January, 1807, Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, made a
treaty with the Indians, whereby all that peninsula was ceded to the
United States. Before the close of the year, a stockade was built about
Detroit. It was also during this year that Indiana and Illinois endeavored
to obtain the repeal of that section of the compact of 1787, whereby
slavery was excluded from the Northwest Territory. These attempts,
however, all signally failed.
In 1809 it was deemed advisable to divide the Indiana Territory.
This was done, and the Territory of Illinois was formed from the western
part, the seat of government being fixed at Kaskaskia. The next year,
the intentions of Tecumseh manifested themselves in open hostilities, and
then began the events already narrated.
While this war was in progress, emigration to the West went on with
surprising rapidity. In 1811, under Mr. Roosevelt of New York, the
first steamboat trip was made on the Ohio, much to the astonishment of
the natives, many of whom fled in terror at the appearance of the
" monster." It arrived at Louisville on the 10th day of October. At the
close of the first week of January, 1812, it arrived at Natchez, after being
nearly overwhelmed in the great earthquake which occurred while on its
downward trip.
The battle of the Thames was fought on October 6, 1813. It
effectually closed hostilities in the Northwest, although peace was not
fully restored until July 22, 1814, when a treaty was formed at Green-
ville, under the direction of General Harrison, between the United States
and the Indian tribes, in which it was stipulated that the Indians should
cease hostilities against the Americans if the war were continued. Such,
happily, was not the case, and on the 24th of December the treaty
of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United
States. This treaty was followed the next year by treaties with various
Indian tribes throughout the West and Northwest, and quiet was again
restored in this part of the new world.
On the 18th of March, 1816, Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city.
It then had a population of 8,000 people, and was already noted for its
manufacturing interests. On April 19, Indiana Territory was allowed
to form a state government. At that time there were thirteen counties
organized, containing about sixty-three thousand inhabitants. The first
election of state officers was held in August, when Jonathan Jennings
was chosen Governor. The officers were sworn in on November 7, a.nd
on December 11, the State was formally admitted into the Union. For
some time the seat of government was at Corydon, but a more central
location being desirable, the present capital, Indianapolis (City of Indiana),
was laid out January 1, 1825.
74 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
On the 28tli of December the Bank of Illinois, at Shawneetown, was
chartered, with a capital of $300,000. At this period all banks were
under the control of the States, and were allowed to establish branches
at different convenient points.
Until this time Chillicothe and Cincinnati had in turn enjoyed the
privileges of being the capital of Ohio. But the rapid settlement of the
northern and eastern portions of the State demanded, as in Indiana, a
more central location, and before the close of the year, the site of Col-
umbus was selected and surveyed as the future capital of the State.
Banking had begun in Ohio as early as 1808, when the first bank was
chartered at Marietta, but here as elsewhere it did not bring to the state
the hoped-for assistance. It and other banks were subsequently unable
to redeem their currency, and were obliged to suspend.
In 1818, Illinois was made a state, and all the territory north of her
northern limits was erected into a separate territory and joined to Mich-
igan for judicial purposes. By the following year, navigation of the lakes
was increasing with great rapidity and affording an immense source of
revenue to the dwellers in the Northwest, but it was not until 1826 that
the trade was extended to Lake Michigan, or that steamships began to
navigate the bosom of that inland sea.
Until the year 1832, the commencement of the Black Hawk War,
but few hostilities were experienced with the Indians. Roads were
opened, canals were dug, cities were built, common schools were estab-
lished, universities were founded, many of which, especially the Michigan
University, have achieved a world wide-reputation. The people were
becoming wealthy. The domains of the United States had been extended,
and had the sons of the forest been treated with honesty and justice, the
record of many years would have been that of peace and continuous pros-
perity.
BLACK HAWK AND THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
This conflict, though confined to Illinois, is an important epoch in
the Northwestern history, being the last war with the Indians in this part
of the United States.
Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in the principal
Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock River with the
Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa or Pahaes ;
his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer. Black Hawk early
distinguished himself as a warrior, and at the age of fifteen was permitted
to paint and was ranked among the braves. About the year 1783, he
went on an expedition against the enemies of his nation, the Osages, one
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
76
BLACK HAWK, THE SAC CHIEFTAIN.
76 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
of whom he killed and scalped, and for this deed of Indian bravery he was
permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years after he, at the
head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition against the
Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging to
his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce
battle ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The
Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherokees
for a similar cause. In a severe battle with them, near the present City
of St. Louis, his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession of
the " Medicine Bag,"' at once announced himself chief of the Sac nation.
He had now conquered tlie Cherokees, and about the year 1800, at the
head of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred lowas, he waged
war ao-ainst the Osage nation and subdued it. For two years he battled ■
successfully with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered.
Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly tO'
the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his " Spanish
Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a reason^
he did not want two fathers.
The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the
United States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines-
Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk, who
at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side of
the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort wa&
garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties
with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 1812
followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by
giving them arms and anununition, induced them to remain hostile to the
Americans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing on
his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre
hr.:^. a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British
i:jrc^rernment but Httle is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended
the Mississippi, and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard
was defeated.
In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi
were notified that peace had been declared between the United States
and Eno-land, and nearlv all hostilities had ceased. Black Hawk did not
sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He then recog-
nized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From the time of
signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the war in 1832, he
and his band passed their time in the common pursuits of Indian life.
Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 7T
Indians were urged to join the lowas on the west bank of the Father of
Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of
which Black Hawk was leader. He strenuously objected to the removal,
and was induced to comply only after being threatened with the power of
the Government. This and various actions on the part of the white set-
tlers provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt the capture of his
native village now occupied by the whites. The war followed. He and
his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and had his wishes been
acquiesced in at the beginning of the struggle, much bloodshed would
have been prevented. ,
Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations, and a noted
warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River, nearly three
miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, where the tribe had lived
many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved to them^
they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending their
time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their village
and the quality of their lands incited the more lawless white settlers, who
from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain. From
one pretext to another, and from one step to another, the crafty white
men gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained
deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were
finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the
lowas. Black Hawk was strenuously opposed to all this, but as the
authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this the best move, he
was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the whites and urged
the removal. Black Hawk would not agree to the terms of the treaty
made with his nation for their lands, and as soon as the militaiy, called to
enforce his removal, had retired, he returned to the Illinois side of the
river. A large force was at once raised and marched against him. On
the evening of May 14, 1832, the first engagement occurred between a
band from this army and Black Hawk's band, in which the former were
defeated.
This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men
was raised, and Gen. Scott hastened from the seaboard, by way of the
lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the subjugation of
the Indians. On the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with 200 warriors, was
repulsed by Major Demont between Rock River and Galena. The Ameri-
can army continued to move up Rock River toward the main body of
the Indians, and on the 21st of July came upon Black Hawk and his band^
and defeated them near the Blue Mounds.
Before this action, Gen. Henry, in command, sent word to the main
army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed the-
78 THE NORTHWEST TEIIRTTORY.
Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band who were fleeing to the
Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d of August, and in the battle
which followed the power of the Indian chief was completel}^ broken. He
fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites.
On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds con-
■oluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes by which they
■ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and agreed to remain
peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance of the provi-
sions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that
Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek, and six other chiefs
of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages during the pleasure
of the President. They were confined at Fort Barracks and put in irons.
The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken
to Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe,
•"there to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify
their being set at liberty." They were retained here until the 4th of
June, when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal
cities so that they might see the folly of contending against the white
people. Everywhere they were observed by thousands, the name of the
old chief being extensively known. By the middle of August they
reached Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon
after released to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birth-
place, now the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village
where he was born, where he had so happily lived, and where he had
hoped to die, was now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer.
On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and
his lodge. His wife was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder
of his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk always re-
mained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon among
the Indians, living with her upward of forty years.
Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing. A deep mel-
ancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed. At all
times when he visited the whites he was received with marked atten-
tion. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County,
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem.
In September, 1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his
annuity from the Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted
in a fatal attack of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3.
His faithful wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply
during his sickness. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre-
sented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in
a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. " The
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 79
body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a
seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side, the cane, given hint
by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it.
Many of the old warrior's trophies were placed in the grave, and some
Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons."
No sooner was the Clack Hawk war concluded than settlers began
rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin,
now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had
grown to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence.
In 1835, the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed,
but did not take active form until two years later, when the State became
a part of the Federal Union.
The main attraction to that portion of the Northwest lying west of
Lake Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin, was its alluvial
wealth. Copper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this
region was attached to Michigan for judiciary purposes, but in 183(> was
made a territory, then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter State
was detached two years later. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as a
State, Madison being made the capital. We have now traced the various-
divisions of the Northwest Territory (save a little in Minnesota) from
the time it was a unit comprising this vast territory, until circumstances,
compelled its present division.
OTHER INDIAN TROUBLES.
Before leaving this part of the narrative, we will narrate briefly the
Indian troubles in Minnesota and elsewhere by the Sioux Indians.
In August, 1862, the Sioux Indians living on the western borders of
Minnesota fell upon the unsuspecting settlers, and in a few hours mas-
sacred ten or twelve hundred persons. A distressful panic was the
immediate result, fully thirty thousand persons fleeing from their homes
to districts supposed to be better protected. The military authorities
at once took active measures to punish the savages, and a large number
were killed and captured. About a year after, Little Crow, the chief,
was killed by a Mr. Lampson near Scattered Lake. Of those captured,
thirty were hung at Mankato, and the remainder, through fears of mob
violence, were removed to Camp McClellan, on the outskirts of the City
of Davenport. It was here that Big Eagle came into prominence and
secured his release by the following order :.
so
THE NOllTHWEST TERRITORY.
BIG EAGLE.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 81
*' Special Order, No. 430. " War Department,
" Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Dec. 3, 1864.
" Big Eagle, an Indian now in confinement at Davenport, Iowa,
will, upon the receipt of this order, be immediately released from confine-
ment and set at liberty.
" By order of the President of the United States.
*' Official : " E. D. Townsend, Ass't Adft aen.
" Capt. James Vanderventer, Cont^ Sub. Vols.
" Through Com'g Gen'l, Washington, D. C."
Another Indian who figures more prominently than Big Eagle, and
who was more cowardly in his nature, with his band of Modoc Indians,
is noted in the annals of the New Northwest : we refer to Captain Jack.
This distinguished Indian, noted for his cowardly murder of Gen. Canby,
was a chief of a Modoc tribe of Indians inhabiting the border lands
between California and Oregon. This region of country comprises what
is known as the " Lava Beds," a tract of land described as utterly impene-
trable, save by those savages who had made it their home.
The Modocs are known as an exceedingly fierce and treacherous
race. They had, according to their own traditions, resided here for many
generations, and at one time were exceedingly numerous and powerful.
A famine carried off nearly half their numbers, and disease, indolence
and the vices of the white man have reduced them to a poor, weak and
insignificant tribe.
Soon after the settlement of California and Oregon, complaints began
to be heard of massacres of emigrant trains passing through the Modoc
country. In 1847, an emigrant train, comprising eighteen souls, was en-
tirely destroyed at a place since known as " Bloody Point." These occur-
rences caused the United States Government to appoint a peace commission,
who, after repeated attempts, in 1864, made a treaty with the Modocs,
Snakes and Klamaths, in which it was agreed on their part to remove to
a reservation set apart for them in the southern part of Oregon.
With the exception of Captain Jack and a band of his followers, who
remained at Clear Lake, about six miles from Klamath, all the Indians
complied. The Modocs who went to the reservation were under chief
Schonchin. Captain Jack remained at the lake without disturbance
until 1869, when he was also induced to remove to the reservation. The
Modocs and the Klamaths soon became involved in a quarrel, and Captain
Jack and his band returned to the Lava Beds.
Several attempts were made by the Indian Commissioners to induce
them to return to the reservation, and finally becoming involved in a
82 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
difficulty with the commissioner and his military escort, a fight ensued,
in which the chief and his Land were routed. They were greatly enraged,
and on their retreat, before the day closed, killed eleven inoffensive whites.
The nation was aroused and immediate action demanded. A com-
mission was at once appointed by the Government to see what could be
done. It comprised the following persons : Gen. E. R. S. Canby, Rev.
Dr. E. Thomas, a leading Methodist divine of California ; Mr. A. B.
Meacham, Judge Rosborough, of California, and a Mr. Dyer, of Oregon.
After several interviews, in which the savages were always aggressive,
often appearing wath scalps in their belts. Bogus Charley came to the
commission on the evening of April 10, 1873, and informed them that
Capt. Jack and his band would have a " talk " to-morrow at a place near
Clear Lake, about three miles distant. Here the Commissioners, accom-
panied by Charley, Riddle, the interpreter, and Boston Charley repaired.
After the usual greeting the council proceedings commenced. On behalf
of the Indians there were present : Capt. Jack, Black Jim, Schnac Nasty
Jim, Ellen's Man, and Hooker Jim. They had no guns, but carried pis-
tols. After short speeches by Mr. Meacham, Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas,
Chief Schonchin arose to speak. He had scarcely proceeded when,
as if by a preconcerted arrangement, Capt. Jack drew his pistol and shot
Gen. Canby dead. In less than a minute a dozen shots were fired by the
savages, and the massacre completed. Mr. Meacham was shot by Schon-
chin, and Dr. Thomas by Boston Charley. Mr. Dyer barely escaped, being
fired at twice. Riddle, the interpreter, and his squaw escaped. The
troops rushed to the spot where they found Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas
dead, and Mr. Meacham badly wounded. The savages had escaped to
their impenetrable fastnesses and could not be pursued.
The whole country was aroused by this brutal massacre ; but it was
not until the following May that the murderers were brought to justice.
At that time Boston Charley gave himself up, and offered to guide the
troops to Capt. Jack's stronghold. This led to the capture of his entire
gang, a number of whom were murdered by Oregon volunteers while on
their way to trial. The remaining Indians were held as prisoners until
July when their trial occurred, which led to the conviction of Capt.
Jack, Schonchin, Boston Charley, Hooker Jim, Broncho, alias One-Eyed
Jim, and Slotuck, who were sentenced to be hanged. These senteuces
were approved by the President, save in the case of Slotuck and Broncho
whose sentences were commuted to imprisonment for life. The others
were executed at Fort Klamath, October 3, 1873.
These closed the Indian troubles for a time in the Northwest, and for
several years the borders of civilization remained in peace. They were
again involved in a conflict with the savages about the country of the
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
83
;^fflii»'^
CAPTAIN JACK, THE MODOC CHIEFTAIN.
1^4 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Black Hills, in which war the gallant Gen. Custer lost his life. Just
now the borders of Oregon and California are again in fear of hostilities ;
but as the Government has learned how to deal with the Indians, they
will be of short duration. The red man is fast passing away before the
march of the white man, and a few more generations will read of the
Indians as one of the nations of the past.
The Northwest abounds in memorable places. We have generally
noticed them in the narrative, but our space forbids their description in
detail, save of the most important places. Detroit, Cincinnati, Vincennes,
Kaskaskia and their kindred towns have all been described. But ere we
leave the narrative we will present our readers with an account of the
Kinzie house, the old landmark of Chicago, and the discovery of the
source of the Mississippi River, each of which may well find a place in
the annals of the Northwest.
Mr. John Kinzie, of the Kinzie house, represented in the illustra-
tion, established a trading house at Fort Dearborn in 1804. The stockade
had been erected the year previous, and named Fort Dearborn in honor
of the Secretary of War. It had a block house at each of the two angles,
on the southern side a sallyport, a covered way on the north side, that led
down to the river, for the double purpose of providing means of escape,
and of procuring water in the event of a siege.
Fort Dearborn stood on the south bank of the Chicago River, about
half a mile from its mouth. When Major Whistler built it, his soldiers
hauled all the timber, for he had no oxen, and so economically did he
work that the fort cost the Government only fifty dollars. For a while
the garrison could get no grain, and Whistler and his men subsisted on
acorns. Now Chicago is the greatest grain center in the world.
Mr. Kinzie bought the hut of the first settler, Jean Baptiste Point au
Sable, on the site of which he erected his mansion. Within an inclosure
in front he planted some Lombardy poplars, seen in the engraving, and in
the rear he soon had a fine garden and growing orchard.
In 1812 the Kinzie house and its surroundings became the theater
of stirring events. The garrison of Fort Dearborn consisted of fifty-four
men, under the charge of Capt. Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant
I-enai T. Helm (son-in-law to Mrs. Kinzie), and Ensign Ronan. The
surgeon was Dr. Voorhees. The only residents at the post at that time
were the wives of Capt. Heald and Lieutenant Helm and a few of the
soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and a few Canadian voyagers with their
wives and children. The soldiers and Mr. Kinzie were on the most
friendly terms with the Pottawatomies and the Winnebagoes, the j)rin-
cipal tribes around them, but they could not win them from their attach-
ment to the British.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
85
After the battle of Tippecanoe it was observed that some of the lead-
ing chiefs became sullen, for some of their people had perished in that
•conflict with American troops.
One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing his violin and his
children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing into
the house pale with terror, and exclaiming, " The Indians ! the Indians ! "
" What ? Where ? " eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. " Up at Lee's, kiUing
and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who, when the alarm was
given, was attending Mrs. Burns, a newly-made mother, living not far off.
KINZIE HOUSE.
Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river in boats, and took refuge in
the fort, to which place Mrs. Burns and her infant, not a day old, were
conveyed in safety to the shelter of the guns of Fort Dearborn, and the
rest of the white inhabitants fled. The Indians were a scalping party of
Winnebagoes, who hovered around the fort some days, when they dis-
appeared, and for several weeks the inhabitants were not disturbed by
alarms.
Chicago was then so deep in the wilderness, that the news of the
declaration of war against Great Britain, made on the 19th of June, 1812,
did not reach the commander of the garrison at Fort Dearborn till the 7th
•of August. Now the fast mail train will carry a man from New York to
Chicago in twenty-seven hours, and such a declaration might be sent,
€very word, by the telegraph in less than the same number of minutes.
THE irOETHWEST TERRITORY.
87
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE NORTHWEST,
Preceding chapters have brought us to the close of the Black Hawk
war, and we now turn to the contemplation of the growth and prosperity
of the Northwest under the smile of peace and the blessings of our civili-
zation. The pioneers of this region date events back to the deep snow
A REPRESKNTATIVK PIONEER.
^,»
//a^
of 1831, no one arriving here since that date taking first honors. The
inciting cause of the immigration which overflowed the prairies early in
-the '30s was the reports of the marvelous beauty and fertility of the
legion distributed through the East by those who had participated in the
Black Hawk campaign with Gen. Scott. Chicago and Milwaukee then,
liad a few hundred inhabitants, and Gurdon S. Hubbard's trail from the
former citv to Kaskaskia led almost through a wilderness. Vegetables
and clothing were largely distributed through the regions adjoining the
88
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
lakes by steamers from the Ohio towns. There are men now living in
Illinois who came to the state when barely an acre was in cultivation^
and a man now prominent in the business circles of Chicago looked over
the swampy, cheerless site of that metropolis in 1818 and went south-
ward into civilization. Emigrants from Pennsylvania in 1830 left behind
Ki^.:^^^.^
LINCOLN MONUMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.
1
them but one small railway in the coal regions, thirty miles in length,
and made their way to the Northwest mostly with ox teams, finding in
Northern Illinois petty settlements scores of miles apart, although the
southern portion of the state was fairly dotted with farms. The
water courses of the lakes and rivers furnished transportation to the
second great army of immigrants, and about 1850 railroads were
pushed to that extent that the crisis of 1837 was precipitated upon ua.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
89
from tlie effects of which the Western country had not fully recovered
at the outbreak of the war. Hostilities found the colonists of the prairies
fully alive to the demands of the occasion, and the honor of recruiting
3
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o
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s:
o
the vast armies of the Union fell largely to Gov. Yates, of Illinois, and
Gov. Morton, of Indiana. To recount the share of the glories of the
campaign -svon If cuv Western troops is a needless task, except to
mention the fact that Illinois ^ave to liie nation the President who saved
90
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
it, and sent out at the head of one of its regiments tne general who led
^ts armies to the final victory at Appomattox. The struggle, on the
FA£M VIEW IN WINTER.
whole, had a marked effect for the better on the new Northwest, gi fing
it an impetus which twenty years of peace would not have produced.
In a large degree this prosperity was an inflated one, and with the rest
of the Union Ave have since been compelled to atone therefor by four
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 93
years of depression of values, of scarcity of employment, and loss of
fortune. To a less degree, however, than the manufacturing or mining
regions has the West suffered during the prolonged panic now so near its
end. Agriculture, still the leading feature in our industries, has been
quite prosperous through all these dark years, and the farmers have
cleared away many incumbrances resting over them from the period of
fictitious values. The population has steadily increased, the arts and
sciences are gaining a stronger foothold, the trade area of the region is
becoming daily more extended, and we have been largely exemjDt from
the financial calamities which have nearly wrecked communities on the
seaboard dependent wholly on foreign commerce or domestic manufacture.
At the present period there are no great schemes broached for the
Northwest, no propositions for government subsidies or national works
of improvement, but the capital of the world is attracted hither for the
purchase of our products or the expansion of our capacity for serving the
nation at large. A new era is dawning as to transportation, and we bid
fair to deal almost exclusively with the increasing and expanding lines
•of steel rail running through every few miles of territory on the prairies.
The lake marine will no doubt continue to be useful in the warmer
season, and to serve as a regulator of freight rates ; but experienced
navigators forecast the decay of the system in moving to the seaboard
the enormous crops of the West. Within the past five years it has
become quite common to see direct shipments to Europe and the West
Indies going through from the second-class towns along the Mississippi
•and Missouri,
As to popular education, the standard has of late risen very greatly,
and our schools would be creditable to any section of the Union.
More and more as the events of the war pass into obscurity will the
fate of the Northwest be linked with that of the Southwest, and the
next Congressional apportionment will give the valley of the Mississippi
absolute control of the legislation of the nation, and do much toward
securing the removal of the Federal capitol to some more central location.
Our public men continue to wield the full share of influence pertain-
ing to their rank in the national autonomy, and seem not to forget that
for the past sixteen years they and their constituents have dictated the
principles which should govern the country.
In a work like this, destined to lie on the shelves of the library for
generations, and not doomed to daily destruction like a newspaper, one
can not indulge in the same glowing predictions, the sanguine statements
of actualities that fill the columns of ephemeral publications. Time may
bring grief to the pet projects of a writer, and explode castles erected on
a pedestal of facts. Yet there are unmistakable indications before us of
94
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
LAKE BLITF.
The frontage of Lake Bluff Grounds on Lake Michigan, with one hundred and seventy feet of gradual ascenU
HIGH BRIDGE, LAKE BLUFF, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 95
the same radical change in our great Northwest which characterizes its
history for the past thirty years. Our domain has a sort of natural
geographical border, save where it melts away to the southward in the
cattle raising districts of the southwest.
Our prime interest will for some years doubtless be the growth of
the food of the world, in which branch it has already outstripped all
competitors, and our great rival in this duty will naturally be the fertile-
plains of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, to say nothing of the new
empire so rapidly growing up in Texas. Over these regions there is a
continued progress in agriculture and in railway building, and we must
look to our laurels. Intelligent observers of events are fully aware of
the strides made in the way of shipments of fresh meats to Europe,,
many of these ocean cargoes being actually slaughtered in the West and
transported on ice to the wharves of the seaboard cities. That this new
enterprise will continue there is no reason to doubt. There are in
Chicago several factories for the canning of prepared meats for European
consumption, and the orders for this class of goods are already immense^
English capital is becoming daily more and more dissatisfied with railway
loans and investments, and is gradually seeking mammoth outlays in
lands and live stock. The stock yards in Chicago, Indianapolis and East
St. Louis are yearly increasing their facilities, and their plant steadily
grows more valuable. Importations of blooded animals from the pro-
gressive countries of Europe are destined to greatly improve the quality
of our beef and mutton. Nowhere is there to be seen a more enticing
display in this line than at our state and county fairs, and the interest
in the matter is on the increase.
To attempt to give statistics of our grain production for 1877 would
be useless, so far have we surpassed ourselves in the quantity and
quality of our product. We are too liable to forget that we are giving
the world its first article of necessity — its food supply. An opportunity
to learn this fact so it never can be forgotten was afforded at Chicago at
the outbreak of the great panic of 1873, when Canadian purchasers,
fearing the prostration of business mightbring about an anarchical condition
of affairs, went to that city with coin in bulk and foreign drafts to secure
their supplies in their own currency at first hands. It may be justly
claimed by the agricultural community that their combined efforts gave
the nation its first impetus toward a restoration of its crippled industries,
and their labor brought the gold premium to a lower depth than the
government was able to reach hy its most intense efforts of legislation
and compulsion. The hundreds of millions about to be disbursed for
farm products have already, by the anticipation common to all commercial.
96
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
nations, set the wheels in motion, and will relieve us from the perils so
long shadowing our efforts to return to a healthy tone.
^ Manufacturing has attained in the chief cities a foothold which bids
fair to render the Northwest independent of the outside world. Nearly
>
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X
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25
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our whole region has a distribution of coal measures which will in time
support the manufactures necessary to our comfort and prosperity. As
to transportation, the chief factor in the production of all articles except
food, no section is so magnificently endowed, and our facilities are yearly
increasing beyond those of any other region.
THE NORTHWEST TERRTTOET. 97
The period from a central point of the war to the outbreak of the
panic was marked by a tremendous growth in our railway lines, but the
depression of the times caused almost a total suspension of operations.
Now that prosperity is returning to our stricken country we witness its-
anticipation by the railroad interest in a series of projects, extensions,
and leases which bid fair to largely increase our transportation facilities..
The process of foreclosure and sale of incumbered lines is another matter
to be considered. In the case of the Illinois Central road, which formerly
transferred to other lines at Cairo the vast burden of freight destined for
the Gulf region, we now see the incorporation of the tracks connecting
through to New Orleans, every mile co-operating in turning toward the
northwestern metropolis the weight of the inter-state commerce of a
thousand miles or more of fertile plantations. Three competing routes
to Texas have established in Chicago their general freight and passenger
agencies. Four or five lines compete for all Pacific freights to a point as
as far as the interior of Nebraska. Half a dozen or more splendid bridge
structures have been thrown across the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers by
the railways. The Chicago and Northwestern line has become an aggre-
gation of over two thousand miles of rail, and the Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul is its close rival in extent and importance. The three lines
running to Cairo via Vincennes form a through route for all traffic with-
the states to the southward. The chief projects now under discussion
are the Chicago and Atlantic, which is to unite with lines now built to
Charleston, and the Chicago and Canada Southern, which line will con-
nect with all the various branches of that Canadian enterprise. Our
latest new road is the Chicago and Lake Huron, formed of three lines,
and entering the city from Valparaiso on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne
and Chicago track. The trunk lines being mainly in operation, the
progress made in the way of shortening tracks, making air-line branches,
and running extensions does not show to the advantage it deserves, as
this process is constantly adding new facilities to the established order
of things. The panic reduced the price of steel to a point where the
railways could hardly afford to use iron rails, and all our northwestern
lines report large relays of Bessemer track. The immense crops now
being moved have given a great rise to the value of railway stocks, and
their transportation must result in heavy pecuniary advantages.
Few are aware of the importance of the wholesale and jobbing trade
of Chicago. One leading firm has since the panic sold $24,000,000 of
dry goods in one year, and they now expect most confidently to add
seventy per cent, to the figures of their last year's business. In boots
and shoes and in clothing, twenty or more great firms from the east have
placed here their distributing agents or th^eir factories ; and in groceries
^8
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Chicago supplies the entire Northwest at rates presenting advantages
over New York.
Chicago has stepped in between New York and the rural banks as a
financial center, and scarcely a banking institution in the grain or cattle
regions but keeps its reserve funds in the vaults of our commercial insti-
tutions. Accumulating here throughout the spring and summer months,
they are summoned home at pleasure to move the products of the
prairies. This process greatly strengthens the northwest in its financial
operations, leaving home capital to supplement local operations on
behalf of home interests.
It is impossible to forecast the destiny of this grand and growing
section of the Union. Figures and predictions made at this date might
^eem ten years hence so ludicrously small as to excite only derision.
1
ILLINOIS.
Length, 380 miles, mean width about 156 miles. Area, 55,410 square
miles, or 35,462,400 acres. Illinois, as regards its surface, constitutes a
table-land at a varying elevation ranging between 350 and 800 feet above
the sea level ; composed of extensive and highly fertile prairies and plains.
Much of the south (^'vision of the State, especially the river-bottoms, are
thickly wooded. The prairies, too, have oasis-like clumps of trees
scattered here and there at intervals. The chief rivers irrigating the
State are the Mississippi — dividing it from Iowa and Missouri — the Ohio
(forming its south barrier), the Illinois, Wabash, Kaskaskia, and San-
gamon, with their numerous affluents. The total extent of navigable
streams is calculated at 4,000 miles. Small lakes are scattered over vari-
ous parts of the State. Illinois is extremely prolific in minerals, chiefly
coal, iron, copper, and zinc ores, sulphur and limestone. The coal-field
alone is estimated to absorb a full third of the entire coal-deposit of North
America. Climate tolerably equable and healthy ; the mean temperature
standing at about 51° Fahrenheit As an agricultural region, Illinois takes
a competitive rank with neighboring States, the cereals, fruits, and root-
crops yielding plentiful returns ; in fact, as a grain-growing State, Illinois
may be deemed, in proportion to her size, to possess a greater area of
lands suitable for its production than any other State in the Union. Stock-
raising is also largely carried on, while her manufacturing interests in
regard of woolen fabrics, etc., are on a very extensive and yearly expand-
ing scale. The lines of railroad in the State are among the most exten-
sive of the Union. Inland water-carriage is facilitated by a canal
connecting the Illinois River with Lake Michigan, and thence with the
St. Lawrence and Atlantic. Illinois is divided into 102 counties ; the
chief towns being Chicago, Springfield (capital), Alton, Quincy, Peoria,
Galena, Bloomington, Rock Island, Vandalia, etc. By the new Consti-
tution, established in 1870, the State Legislature consists of 51 Senators,
elected for four y^ars, and 153 Representatives, for two years ; which
numbers were to be decennially increased thereafter to the number of
six per every additional half-million of inhabitants. Religious and
educational institutions are largely diffused throughout, and are in a very
flourishing condition. Illinois has a State Lunatic and a Deaf and Dumb
Asylum at Jacksonville ; a State Penitentiary at Joliet ; and a Home for
(99)
100
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Soldiers' Orphans at Normal. On November 30, 1870, the public debt of
the State was returned at $4,870,937, with a balance of $1,808,833
unprovided for. At the same period the value of assessed and equalized
property presented the following totals : assessed, $840,031,703 ; equal-
ized $480,664,058. The name of Illinois, through nearly the whole of
the eighteenth century, embraced most of the known regions north and
west of Ohio. French colonists established themselves in 1673, at
Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and the territory of which these settlements
formed the nucleus was, in 1763, ceded to Great Britain in conjunction
with Canada, and ultimately resigned to the United States in 1787.
Illinois entered the Union as a State, December 3, 1818; and now sends
19 Representatives to Congress. Population, 2,539,891, in 1870.
4 WESTERN DWELLING.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITOEY. lOl
INDIANA
Tlic profile of Indiana forms a nearly exact parallelogram, occupy-
ing one of the most fertile portions of the great Mississippi Valley. The
greater extent of the surface embraced within its limits consists of gentle
undulations rising into hilly tracts toward the Ohio bottom. The chief
rivers of the State are the Ohio and Wabash, with their numerous
affluents. The soil is highly productive of the cereals and grasses — most
particularly so in the valleys of the Ohio, Wabash, Whitewater, and
White Rivers. The northeast and central portions are well timbered
with virgin forests, and the west section is notably rich in coal, constitut-
ing an offshoot of the great Illinois carboniferous field. Iron, copper,
marble, slate, gypsum, and various clays are also abundant. From an
agricultural point of view, the staple products are maize and wheat, with
the other cereals in lesser yields : and besides these, flax, hemp, sorghum,
hops, etc., are extensively raised. Indiana is divided into 92 counties,
and counts among her principal cities and towns, those of Indianapolis
(the capital), Fort Wayne, Evansville, Terre Haute, Madison, Jefferson-
ville, Columbus, Vincennes, South Bend, etc. The public institutions of
the State are many and various, and on a scale of magnitude and
efficiency commensurate with her important political and industrial status.
Upward of two thousand miles of railroads permeate the State in all
directions, and greatly conduce to the development of lier expanding
manufacturing interests. Statistics for the fiscal year terminating
October 31, 1870, exhibited a total of receipts, $3,896,541 as against dis-
bursements, $3,532,406, leaving a balance, $364,135 in favor of the State
Treasury. The entire public debt, January 5, 1871, $3,971,000. This
State was first settled by Canadian voyageurs in 1702, who erected a fort
at Vincennes ; in 1763 it passed into the hands of the English, and was
by the latter ceded to the United States in 1783. From 1788 till 1791,
an Indian ware fare prevailed. In 1800, all tlie region west and north of
Ohio (then formed into a distinct territory) became merged in Indiana.
In 1809, the present limits of the State were defined, Michigan and
Illinois having previously been withdrawn. In 1811, Indiana was the
theater of the Indian War of Tecumseh, ending with the decisive battle
of Tippecanoe. In 1816 (December 11), Indiana became enrolled among
the States of the American Union. In 1834, the State passed through a
monetary crisis owing to its having become mixed up witli railroad,
f;anal, and other speculations on a gigantic scale, which ended, for the
tune, oei'ng, in a general collapse of public credit, and consequent bank-
ruptcy. Since that time, however, the greater number of the public
102
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
works which had brought about that imbroglio — especially the great
Wabash and Erie Canal — have been completed, to the great benefit of
the State, whose subsequent progress has year by year been marked by
rapid strides in the paths of wealtli, commerce, and general social and
political prosperity. The constitution now in force was adopted in 1851.
Population, 1,680,637.
IOWA.
In shape, Iowa presents an almost perfect parallelogram ; has a
length, north to south, of about 300 miles, by a pretty even width of 208
miles, and embraces an area of 55,045 square miles, or 35,228,800 acres.
The surface of the State is generally undulating, rising toward the
middle into an elevated plateau which forms the " divide " of the
Missouri and Mississippi basins. Rolling prairies, especially in the south
section, constitute a regnant feature, and the river bottoms, belted with
woodlands, present a soil of the richest alluvion. Iowa is well watered ;
the principal rivers being the Mississippi and Missouri, which form
respectively its east and west limits, and the Cedar, Iowa, and Des
Moines, affluents of the first named. Mineralogically, Iowa is important
as occupying a section of the great Northwest coal field, to the extent of
an area estimated at 25,000 square miles. Lead, copper, zinc, and iron,
are also mined in considerable quantities. The soil is well adapted to
the production of wheat, maize, and the other cereals : fruits, vegetables,
and esculent roots ; maize, wheat, and oats forming the chief staples.
Wine, tobacco, hops, and wax, are other noticeable items of the agricul-
tural yield. Cattle-raising, too, is a branch of rural industry largely
engaged in. The climate is healthy, although liable to extremes of heat
and cold. The annual gross product of the various manufactures carried
on in this State approximate, in round numbers, a sum of $20,000,000.
Iowa has an immense railroad system, besides over 500 miles of water-
communication by means of its navigable rivers. The State is politically
ilivided into 99 counties, with the following centers of population : Des
Moines (capital), Iowa City (former capital), Dubuque, Davenport, Bur-
lington, Council Bluffs, Keokuk, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids. The
State institutions of Iowa— religious, scholastic, and philanthropic — are
on a par, as regards number and perfection of organization and operation,
with those of her Northwest sister States, and education is especially
well cared for, and largely diffused. Iowa formed a portion of the
American territorial acquisitions from France, by the so-called Louisiana
purchase in 1803, and was politically identified with Louisiana till 1812,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 103
when it merged into the Missouri Territory; in 1834 it came under the
Michigan organization, and, in 1836, under that of Wisconsin. Finally,
after being constituted an independent Territory, it became a State of
the Union, December 28, 1846. Population in 1860, 674,913 ; in 1870,
1,191,792, and in 1875, 1,353,118.
MICHIGAN.
United area, 56,243 square miles, or 35,995,520 acres. Extent of the
Upper and smaller Peninsula' — length, 316 miles; breadth, fluctuating
between 36 and 120 miles. The south division is 416 miles long, by from
50 to 300 miles wide. Aggregate lake-shore line, 1,400 miles. The
Upper, or North, Peninsula consists chiefly of an elevated plateau,
expanding into the Porcupine mountain-system, attaining a maximum
height of some 2,000 feet. Its shores along Lake Superior are eminently
bold and picturesque, and its area is rich in minerals, its product of
copper constituting an important source of industry. Both divisions are
heavily wooded, and the South one, in addition, boasts of a deep, rich,
loamy soil, throwing up excellent crops of cereals and other agricultural
produce. The climate is generally mild and humid, though the Winter
colds are severe. The chief staples of farm husbandry include the cereals,
grasses, maple sugar, sorghum, tobacco, fruits, and dairy-stuffs. In 1870,
the acres of land in farms were : improved, 5,096,939 ; unimproved
woodland, 4,080,146 ; other unimproved land, 842,057. The cash value
of land was $398,240,578 ; of farming implements and machinery,
$13,711,979. In 1869, there were shipped from the Lake Superior ports,
874,582 tons of iron ore, and 45,762 of smelted pig, along with 14,188
tons of copper (ore and ingot). Coal is another article largely mined.
Inland communication is provided for by an admirably organized railroad
system, and by the St. Mary's Ship Canal, connecting Lakes Huron and
Superior. Michigan is politically divided into 78 counties ; its chief
urban centers are Detroit, Lansing (capital), Ann Arbor, Marquette,
Bay City, Niles, Ypsilanti, Grand Haven, etc. The Governor of the
State is elected biennially. On November 30, 1870, the aggregate bonded
debt of Michigan amounted to $2,385,028, and the assessed valuation of
land to $266,929,278, representing an estimated cash value of $800,000,000.
Education is largely diffused and most excellently conducted and pro-
vided for. The State University at Ann Arbor, the colleges of Detroit
and Kalamazoo, the Albion Female College, the State Normal School at
Ypsilanti, and the State Agricultural College at Lansing, are chief among
the academic institutions. Michigan (a term of Chippeway origin, and
104 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
signifying " Great Lake), was discovered and first settled by Frencli
Canadians, Avho, in 1670, founded Detroit, the pioneer of a series of trad-
ing-posts on the Indian frontier. During the " Conspiracy of Pontiac,"
following the French loss of Canada, Michigan became the scene of a
sanguinary struggle between the whites and aborigines. In 1796, it
became annexed to the United States, which incorporated this region
with the Northwest Territory, and then with Indiana Territory, till 1808,
when it became territorially independent. Michigan was the theater of
warlike operations during the war of 1812 with Great Britain, and in
1819 was authorized, to be represented by one delegate in Congress ; in
1837 she was admitted into the Union as a State, and in 1869 ratified the
15th Amendment to the Federal Constitution. Population, 1,184,059.
WISCONSIN.
It has a mean length of 26Q miles, and a maximum breadth of 215.
Land area, 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Wisconsin lies at a
considerable altitude above sea-level, and consists for the most part of an
upland plateau, the surface of which is undulating and very general!}^
diversified. Numerous local eminences called mounds are interspersed
over the State, and the Lake Michigan coast-line is in many parts char-
acterized by lofty escarped cliffs, even as on the west side the banks of
the Mississippi form a series of high and picturesque bluffs. A group of
islands known as The Apostles lie off the extreme north point of the
State in Lake Superior, and the great estuary of Green Bay, running far
inland, gives formation to a long, narrow peninsula between its waters
and those of Lake Michigan. The river-system of Wisconsin has three
outlets — those of Lake Superior, Green Bay, and the Mississi2:)pi, which
latter stream forms the entire southwest frontier, widening at one point
into the large watery expanse called Lake Pepin. Lake Superior receives
the St. Louis, Burnt Wood, and Montreal Rivers ; Green Bay, the
Menomonee, Peshtigo, Oconto, and Fox; while into the Mississippi
empty the St. Croix, Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, and Rock Rivers.
The chief interior lakes are those of Winnebago, Horicon, and Court
Oreilles, and smaller sheets of water stud a great part of the surface.
The climate is healthful, with cold Winters and brief but very warm
Summers. Mean annual rainfall 31 inches. The geological system
represented bj^ the State, embraces those rocks included between the
primary and the Devonian series, the former containing extensive
deposits of copper and iron ore. Besides these minerals, lead and zinc
are found in great quantities, together with kaolin, plumbago, gypsum,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 105
and various clays. Mining, consequently, forms a prominent industry,
and one of yearly increasing dimensions. The soil of Wisconsin is of
varying quality, but fertile on the whole, and in the north parts of the
State heavily timbered. The agricultural yield comprises tiie cereals,
together with flax, hemp, tobacco, pulse, sorgum, and all kinds of vege-
tables, and of the hardier fruits. In 1870, the State had a total number
of 102,904 farms, occupying 11,715,321 acres, of which 5,899,343 con-
sisted of improved land, and 3,437,442 were timbered. Cash value of
farms, $300,414,064 ; of farm implements and machinery, $14,239,364.
Total estimated value of all farm products, including betterments an,d
additions to stock, $78,027,032 ; of orchard and dairy stuffs, $1,045,933 ;
of lumber, Jfl, 327,618 ; of home manufactures, $338,423 ; of all live-stock,
$45,310,882. Numl)er of manufacturing establishments, 7,136, employ-
ing 39,055 hands, and turning out productions valued at $85,624,966.
The political divisions of the State form 61 counties, and the chief places
of wealth, trade, and population, are Madison (the capital), Milwaukee,
Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Prairie du Chien, Janesville, Portage Citv,
Racine, Kenosha, and La Crosse. In 1870, the total assessed valuation
reached $333,209,838, as against a true valuation of both real and personal
estate aggregating $602,207,329. Treasury receipts during 1870, $886,-
696 ; disbursements, $906,329. Value of church property, $4,749,983.
Education is amply provided for. Independently of the State University
at Madison, and those of Galesville and of Lawrence at Ajjpleton, and
the colleges of Beloit, Racine, and Milton, there are Normal Schools at
Platteville and Whitewater. The State is divided into 4,802 common
school districts, maintained at a cost, in 1870, of $2,094,160. The chari-
table institutions of Wisconsin include a Deaf and Dumb Asylum, an
Institute for the Education of the Blind, and a Soldiers' Orphans' School.
In January, 1870, the railroad system ramified throughout the State
totalized 2,779 miles of track, including several lines far advanced toward
completion. Immigration is successfully encouraged by the State author-
ities, the larger number of j^early new-comers being of Scandinavian and
German origin. The territory now occupied within the limits of the
State of Wisconsin was explored by French missionaries and traders in
1639, and it remained under French jurisdiction until 1703, when it
became annexed to the British North American possessions. In 1796, it
reverted to the United States, the government of which latter admitted
it within the limits of the Northwest Territory, and in 1809, attached it
to that of Illinois, and to Michigan in 1818. Wisconsin became independ-
ently territorially organized in 1836, and became a State of the Union,
March 3, 1847. Population in 1870, l,0f;4,985, of which 2,113 were of
the colored race, and 11,521 Indians, 1,206 of the latter beinff out of
tribal relations.
106 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
MINNESOTA.
Its length, north to south, embraces an extent of 380 miles; its
breadth one of 250 miles at a maximum. Area, 84,000 square miles, or
54,760,000 acres. The surface of Minnesota, generally speaking, con-
sists of a succession of gently undulating plains and prairies, drained by
an admirable water-system, and with here and there heavily- timbered
bottoms and belts of virgin forest. The soil, corresponding with such a
superfices, is exceptionally rich, consisting for the most part of a dark,
calcareous sandy drift intermixed with loam. A distinguishing physical
feature of this State is its riverine ramifications, expanding in nearly
every part of it into almost innumerable lakes — the whole presenting an
aooreoate of water-power havino- hardly a rival in the Union. Besides
the Mississippi — which here has its rise, and drains a basin of 800 miles
of country — the principal streams are the Minnesota (-334 miles long),
the Red River of the North, the St. Croix, St. Louis, and many others of
lesser importance ; the chief lakes are those called Red, Cass, Leech,
Mille Lacs, Vermillion, and Winibigosh. Quite a concatenation of sheets
of water fringe the frontier line where Minnesota joins British America,
culminatimr in the Lake of the Woods. It has been estimated, that of
an area of 1,200,000 acres of surface between the St. Croix and Mis-
sissippi Rivers, not less than 73,000 acres are of lacustrine formation. In
point of minerals, the resources of Minnesota have as yet been very
imperfectly developed ; iron, copper, coal, lead — all these are known to
exist in considerable deposits ; together with salt, hmestone, and potter's
clay. The agricultural outlook of the State is in a high degree satis-
factory ; wheat constitutes the leading cereal in cultivation, with Indian
corn and oats in next order. Fruits and vegetables are grown in great
plenty and of excellent quality. The lumber resources of Minnesota are
important ; the pine forests in the north region alone occupying an area
of some 21,000 square miles, which in 1870 produced a return of scaled
logs amounting to 313,116,416 feet. The natural industrial advantages
possessed by Minnesota are largely improved upon by a railroad system.
The political divisions of this State number 78 counties ; of which the
chief cities and towns are : St. Paul (the capital), Stillwater, Red Wing,
St. Anthony, Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, and Mankato. Minnesota has
already assumed an attitude of high importance as a manufacturing State ;
this is mainly due to the wonderful command of water-power she pos-
sesses, as before spoken of. Besides her timber-trade, the milling of
flour, the distillation of whisky, and the tanning of leather, are prominent
interests, which, in 1869, gave returns to the amount of ij^l 4,831, 043.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 107
Education is notably provided for on a broad and catholic scale, the
entire amount expended scholastically during the year 1870 being $857,-
816 ; while on November 30 of the preceding year the permanent school
fund stood at $2, 476, 222. Besides a University and Agricultural College,
Normal and Reform Schools flourish, and with these may be mentioned
such various philanthropic and religious institutions as befit the needs of
an intelligent and prosperous community. The finances of the State for
the fiscal year terminating December 1, 1870, exhibited a balance on the
right side to the amount of $136,164, being a gain of $44,000 over the
previous year's figures. The earliest exploration of Minnesota by the
whites was made in 1680 by a French Franciscan, Father Hennepin, who
gave the name of St. Antony to the Great Falls on the Upper Missisippi.
In 1763, the Treaty of Versailles ceded this region to England.
Twenty yeai-s later, Minnesota formed part of the Northwest Territor}^
transferred to the United States, and became herself territorialized inde-
pendently in 1849. Indian cessions in 1851 enlarged her boundaries, and.
May 11, 1857, Minnesota became a unit of the great American federation
of States. Population, 439,706.
NEBRASKA.
Maximum length, 412 miles ; extreme breadth, 208 miles. Area,
75,905 square miles', or 48,636,800 acres. The surface of this State is
almost entirely undulating prairie, and forms part of the west slope of
the great central basin of the North American Continent. In its west
division, near the base of the Rocky Mountains, is a sandy belt of
country, irregularly defined. In this part, too, are the " dunes," resem-
bling a wavy sea of sandy billows, as well as the Mauvaises Terres, a tract
of singular formation, produced by eccentric disintegrations and denuda-
tions of the land. The chief rivers are the Missouri, constituting its en-
tire east line of demarcation ; the Nebraska or Platte, the Niobrara, the
Republican Fork of the Kansas, the Elkhorn, and the Loup Fork of the
Platte. The soil is very various, but consisting chiefly of rich, bottomy
loam, admirably adapted to the raising of heavy crops of cereals. All
the vegetables and fruits of the temperate zone are produced in great
size and plenty. For grazing purposes Nebraska is a State exceptionally
well fitted, a region of not less than 23,000,000 acres being adaptable to
this branch of husbandry. It is believed that the, as yet, comparatively
infertile tracts of land found in various parts of the State are susceptible
of productivity by means of a properly conducted system of irrigation.
Few minerals of moment have so far been found within the limits of
108
THE NOliTHWEST TEKKITOliY.
Nebraska, if we may except important saline deposits at the head of Salt
Creek in ics southeast section. The State is divided into 57 counties,
independent of the Pawnee and Winnebago Indians, and of unorganized
territory in the northwest part. The principal towns are Omaha, Lincoln
(State capital), Nebraska City, Columbus, Grand Island, etc. In 1870,
the total assessed value of property amounted to 153,000,000, being an
increase of $11,000,000 over the previous year's returns. The total
amount received from the school-fund during the year 1869-70 was
$77,999. Education is making great onward strides, the State University
and an Agricultural College being far advanced toward completion. In
the matter of railroad communication, Nebraska bids fair to soon place
herself on a par with her neighbors to the east. Besides being inter-
sected by the Union Pacific line, with its off-shoot, the Fremont and Blair,
other tracks are in course of rapid construction. Organized by Con-
gressional Act into a Territory, May 30, 1851, Nebraska entered the
Union as a full State, March 1, 1867. Population, 122,993.
TTTT
XTIV<; IMIMRIK WOI.VBS IN" AX KAUIA' DAY.
Early History op^ Illinois.
The name of this beautiful Prairie State is derived from Illim, a
Delaware word signifying Superior Men. It has a French termination,
and is a symbol of how the two races — the French and the Indians —
were intermixed during the early history of the country.
The appellation was no doubt well applied to the primitive inhabit-
ants of the soil whose prowess in savage warfare long withstood the
combined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the one side, and the no less
savage and relentless Sacs and Foxes on the other. The Illinois were
once a powerful confederacy, occupying the most beautiful and fertile
region in the great Valley of the Mississippi, which their enemies coveted
and struggled long and hard to wrest from them. By the fortunes of
war they were diminished in numbers, and finally destroyed. " Starved
Rock," on the Illinois River, according to tradition, commemorates their
last tragedy, where, it is said, the entire tribe starved rather than sur-
render.
EARLY DISCOVERIES.
The first European discoveries in Illinois date back over two hun-
dred years. They are a part of that movement which, from the begin-
ning to the middle of the seventeenth century, brought the French
Canadian missionaries and fur traders into the Valley of the Mississippi,
and which, at a later period, established the civil and ecclesiastical
authority of France from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico,
and from the foot-hills of the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains.
The great river of the West had been discovered by DeSoto, the
Spanish conqueror of Florida, three quarters of a century before the
French founded Quebec in 1608, but the Spanish left the country a wil-
derness, without further exploration or settlement within its borders, in
which condition it remained until the Mississippi was discovered by the
agents of the French Canadian government, Jolietand Marquette, in 1673.
These renowned explorers were not the first white visitors to Illinois.
In 1671 — two years in advance of them — came Nicholas Perrot to Chicago.
He had been sent by Talon as an agent of the Canadian government to
log
no
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. Ill
call a great peace convention of Western Indians at Green Bay, prepara-
tory to the movement for the discovery of the Mississippi. It was
deemed a good stroke of policy to secure, as far as possible, the friend-
ship and co-operation of the Indians, far and near, before venturing upon
an enterprise which their hostility might render disastrous, and which
their friendship and assistance would do so much to make successful ;
and to this end Perrot was sent to call together in council the tribes
throughout the Northwest, and to promise them the commerce and pro-
tection of the French government. He accordingly arrived at Green
Bay in 1671, and procuring an escort of Pottawattamies, proceeded in a
bark canoe upon a visit to the Miamis, at Chicago. Perrot was there-
fore the first European to set foot upon the soil of Illinois.
Still there were others before Marquette. In 1672, the Jesuit mis-
sionaries, Fathers Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, bore the standard
of the Cross from their mission at Green Bay through western Wisconsin
and northern Illinois, visiting the Foxes on Fox River, and the Masquo-
tines and Kickapoos at the mouth of the Milwaukee. These missionaries
penetrated on the route afterwards followed by Marquette as far as the
Kickapoo village at the head of Lake Winnebago, where Marquette, in
his journey, secured guides across the portage to the Wisconsin.
The oft-repeated story of Marquette and Joliet is well known.
They were the agents employed by the Canadian government to discover
the Mississippi. Marquette was a native of France, born in 1637, a
Jesuit priest by education, and a man of simple faith and of great zeal and
devotion in extending the Roman Catholic religion among the Indians.
Arriving in Canada in 1666, he was sent as a missionary to the far
Northwest, and, in 1668, founded a mission at Sault Ste. Marie. The
following year he moved to La Pointe, in Lake Superior, where he
instructed a branch of the Hurons till 1670, when he removed south, and
founded the mission at St. Tgnace, on the Straits of Mackinaw. Here
he remained, devoting a portion of his time to the study of the Illinois
language under a native teacher who had accompanied him to the mission
from La Pointe, till he was joined by Joliet in the Spring of 1673. By
the way of Green Bay and the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, they entered
the Mississippi, which they explored to the mouth of the Arkansas, and
returned by the way of the Illinois and Chicago Rivers to Lake Michigan.
On his way up the Illinois, Marquette visited the great village of
the Kaskaskias, near what is now Utica, in the county of LaSalle. The
following year he returned and established among them the mission of
the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was the first Jesuit mission founded
in Illinois and in the Mississippi Valley. The intervening winter he
had spent in a hut which his companions erected on the Chicago River, a
few leagues from its mouth. The founding of this mission was the last
112 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
act of Marquette's life. He died in Michigan, on his way back to Green
Bay, May 18, 1675.
FIRST FRENCH OCCUPATION.
The fii'st French occupation of the territory now embraced in Illi-
nois was effected by LaSalle in 1680, seven years after the time of Mar-
q^uette and Joliet. LaSalle, having constructed a vessel, the " Griffin,"
above the falls of Niagara, which he sailed to Green Bay, and having
passed thence in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph River, by which
and the Kankakee he reached the Illinois, in January, 1680, erected Fort
Crevecceur, at the lower end of Peoria Lake, where the city of Peoria is
now situated. The place where this ancient fort stood may still be seen
just below the outlet of Peoria Lake. It was destined, however, to a
temporary existence. From this point, LaSalle determined to descend
the Mississippi to its mouth, but did not accomplish this purpose till two
years later — in 1682. Returning to Fort Frontenac for the purpose of
getting materials with whicli to rig his vessel, he left the fort in charge of
Touti, his lieutenant, who during his absence was driven off by the Iro-
quois Indians. These savages had made a raid upon the settlement of
the Illinois, and had left nothing in their track but ruin and desolation.
Mr. Davidson, in his History of IlUnois, gives the following graphic
account of the picture that met the eyes of LaSalle and his companions
on their return :
" At the great town of the Illinois they were appalled at the scene
which opened to their view. No hunter appeared to break its death-like
silence with a salutatory whoop ot welcome. The plain on which the
town had stood was now strewn with charred fragments of lodges, which
had so recently swarmed with savage life and hilarity. To render more
hideous the picture of desolation, large numbers of skulls had been
placed on the upper extremities of lodge-poles which had escaped the
devourino- flames. In the midst of these horrors was the rude fort of
the spoilers, rendered frightful by the same ghastly relics. A near
approach showed that the graves had been robbed of their bodies, and
swarms of buzzards were discovered glutting;' their loathsome stomachs
on tlie reeking corruption. To complete the work of destruction, the
irrowingf corn of the village had been cut down and burned, while the
pits containing the products of previous years, had been rifled and their
contents scattered with wanton waste. It was evident the suspected
blow of the Iroquois had fallen with relentless fury."
Tonti had escaped LaSalle knew not whither. Passing down the
lake in searcli of him and his men, LaSalle discovered that the fort had
been destroyed, but the vessel wliicli he had partly constructed was still
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. IVo
on the stocks, and but slightly injured. After further fruitless search,
failing to find Tonti, he fastened to a tree a painting representing himself
and party sitting in a canoe and bearing a pipe of peace, and to the paint-
ing attached a letter addressed to Tonti.
Tonti had escaped, and, after untold privations, taken shelter among
tlie Pottawattaraies near Green Bay. These were friendly to the French.
One of their old chiefs used to say, " There were but three great cap-
tains in the world, himself, Tonti and LaSalle."
GENIUS OF LaSALLE.
We must now return to LaSalle, whose exploits stand out in such
bold relief. He was born in Rouen, France, in 1643. His father was
wealthy, but he renounced his patrimony on entering a college of the
Jesuits, from which he separated and came to Canada a poor man in 1666.
The priests of St. Sulpice, among whom he had a brother, were then the
proprietors of Montreal, the nucleus of which was a seminary or con-
vent founded by that order. The Superior granted to LaSalle a large
tract of land at LaChine, where he established himself in the fur trade.
He was a man of daring genius, and outstripped all his competitors in
exploits of travel and commerce with the Indians. In 1669, he visited
the headquarters of the great Iroquois Confederacy, at Onondaga, in the
heart of New York, and, obtaining guides, explored the Ohio River to
the falls at Louisville.
In order to understand the genius of LaSalle, it must be remembered
that for many years prior to his time the missionaries and traders were
obliged to make their way to the Northwest by the Ottawa River (of
Canada) on account of the fierce hostility of the Iroquois along the lower
lakes and Niagara River, which entirely closed this latter route to the
Upper Lakes. They carried on their commerce chiefly by canoes, pad-
dling them through the Ottawa to Lake Nipissing, carrying them across
the portage to French River, and descending that to Lake Huron. This
being the route by which they reached the Northwest, accounts for the
fact that all the earliest Jesuit missions were established in the neia-hbor-
hood of the Upper Lakes. LaSalle conceived the grand idea of opening
the route by Niagara River and the Lower Lakes to Canadian commerce
by sail vessels, connecting it with the navigation of the Mississippi, and
thus opening a magnificent water communication from the Gulf of St.
Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. This truly grand and comprehensive
purpose seems to have animated him in all his wonderful achievements
and the matchless difficulties and hardships he surmounted. As the first
step in the accomplishment of this object he established himself on Lake
Ontario, and built and garrisoned Fort Frontenac, the site of the present
114 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
city of Kingston, Canada. Here he obtained a grant of land from the
French crown and a body of troops by which he beat back the invading
Iroquois and cleared the passage to Niagara Falls. Having by this mas-
terly stroke made it safe to attempt a hitherto untried expedition, his
next step, as we have seen, was to advance to the Falls with all his
outfit for building a ship with which to sail the lakes. He was success-
ful in this undertaking, though his ultimate purpose was defeated by a
strange combination of untoward circumstances. The Jesuits evidently
hated LaSalle and plotted against him, because he had abandoned them
and co-operated with a rival order. The fur traders were also jealous of
his superior success in opening new channels of commerce. At LaChine
he had taken the trade of Lake Ontario, which but for his presence there
would have gone to Quebec. While they were plodding with their barK
canoes through the Ottawa he was constructing sailing vessels to com-
mand the trade of the lakes and the Mississippi. These great plans
excited the jealousy and envy of the small traders, introduced treason and
revolt into the ranks of his own companions, and finally led to the foul
assassination by which his great achievements were prematurely ended.
In 1682, LaSalle, having completed his vessel at Peoria, descended
the Mississippi to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Erecting a
standard on which he inscribed the arms of France, he took formal pos-
session of the whole valley of the mighty river, in the name of Louis
XIV., then reigning, in honor of whom he named the country Louisiana.
LaSalle then went to France, was appointed Governor, and returned
with a fleet and immigrants, for the purpose of planting a colony in Illi-
nois. They arrived in due time in the Gulf of Mexico, but failing to
find the mouth of the Mississippi, up which LaSalle intended to sail, his
supply ship, with the immigrants, was driven ashore and wrecked on
Matagorda Bay. With the fragments of the vessel he constructed a
stockade and rude huts on the shore for the protection of the immigrants,
calling the post Fort St. Louis. He then made a trip into New Mexico,
in search of silver mines, but, meeting with disappointment, returned to
find his little colony reduced to forty souls. He then resolved to travel
on foot to Illinois, and, starting with his companions, had reached the
valley of the Colorado, near the mouth of Trinity river, when he was
shot by one of his men. This occurred on the 19th of March, 1687.
Dr. J. W. Foster remarks of him : " Thus fell, not far from the banks
of the Trinity, Robert Cavalier de la Salle, one of the grandest charac-
ters that ever figured in American history — a man capable of originating
the vastest schemes, and endowed with a will and a judgment capable of
carrying them to successful results. Had ample facilities been placed by
the King of France at his disposal, the result of the colonization of this
continent might have been far different from what we now behold."
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 115
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
A teraporarv settlement was made at Fort St. Louis, or the old Kas-
kaskia village, o'l the Illinois River, in what is now La'Salle County, in
1682. In 1690, this wa.s removed, with the mission connected with it, to
Kaskaskia, on the river of that name, emptying into the lower Mississippi
in St. Clair County. Cahokia was settled about the same time, or at
least, both of these settlements began in the year 1690, though it is now
pretty well settled that Cahokia is the older place, and ranks as the oldest
permanent settlement in Illinois, as Avell as in the Mississippi Valley.
Tlie reason for the removal of the Did Kaskaskia settlement and mission,
was probably because the dangerous and diificult route by Lake Michigan
and the Chicago portage had been almost abandoned, and travelers and
traders passed down and up the Mississippi by the Fox and Wisconsin
River route. They removed to the vicinity of the Mississippi in order
to be in the line of travel from Canada to Louisiana, that is, the lower
part of it, for it was all Louisiana then south of the lakes.
During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population prob-
ably never exceeded ten thousand, including whites and blacks. Within
that portion of it now included in Indiana, trading posts were established
at the principal Miami villages which stood on the head waters of the
Maumee, the Wea villages situated at Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and
the Piankeshaw villages at Post Vincennes ; all of which were probably
visited by French traders and missionaries before the close of the seven-
teenth century.
In the vast territory claimed by the French, many settlements of
considerable importance had sprung up. Biloxi, on Mobile Bay, had
been founded by DTberville, in 1699 ; Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac had
founded Detroit in 1701 ; and New Orleans had been founded by Bien-
ville, under the auspices of the Mississippi Company, in 1718. In Illi-
nois also, considerable settlements had been made, so that in 1730 they
embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six hundred " con-
verted Indians," and many traders and voyageurs. In that portion of the
country, on the east side of the Mississippi, there were five distinct set-
tlements, with their respective villages, viz.: Cahokia, near the mouth
of Cahokia Creek and about five miles below the present city of St.
Louis ; St. Philip, about forty-five miles below Cahokia, and four miles
above Fort Chartres ; Fort Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia ;
Kaskaskia, situated on the Kaskaskia River, five miles above its conflu-
ence with the Mississippi ; and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres.
To these must be added St. Genevieve and St. Louis, on the west side
of the Mississippi. These, with the exception of St. Louis, are among
116
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILJ.LNOIS.
H
<1
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 117
the oldest French towns in the Mississippi Valley. Kaskaskia, in its best
days, was a town of some two or three thousand inhabitants. After it
passed from the crown of France its population for many years did not
exceed fifteen hundred. Under British rule, in 1773, the population had
decreased to four hundred and fifty. As early as 1721, the Jesuits had
established a college and a monastery in Kaskaskia.
Fort Chartres was first built under the direction of the Mississippi
Company, in 1718, by M. de Boisbraint, a military officer, under command
of Bienville. It stood on the east bank of the Mississippi, about eighteen
miles below Kaskaskia, and was for some time the headquarters of the
military commandants of the district of Illinois.
In the Centennial Oration of Dr. Fowler, delivered at Philadelphia,
by appointment of Gov. Beveridge, we find some interesting facts with
regard to the State of Illinois, which we appropriate in this history :
In 1682 Illinois became a possession of the French crown, a depend-
ency of Canada, and a part of Louisiana. In 1765 the English flag was
run up on old Fort Chartres, and Illinois was counted among the treas-
ures of Great Britain.
In 1779 it was taken from the English by Col. George Rogers Clark.
This man was resolute in nature, wise in council, prudent in policy, bold
in action, and heroic in danger. Few men who have figured in the his-
tory of America are more deserving than this colonel. Nothing short of
first-class ability could have rescued Vincens and all Illinois from the
English. And it is not possible to over-estimate the influence of this
achievement upon the republic. In 1779 Illinois became a part of Vir-
ginia. It was soon known as Illinois County. In 1784 Virginia ceded
all this territory to the general government, to be cut into States, to be
republican in form, with " the same right of sovereignty, freedom, and
independence as the other States."
In 1787 it was the object of the wisest and ablest legislation found
in any merely human records. No man can study the secret history of
THE "COMPACT OF 1787,"
and not feel that Providence was guiding with sleepless eye these unborn
States. The ordinance that on July 13, 1787, finally became the incor-
porating act, has a most marvelous history. Jefferson had vainly tried
to secure a system of g'overnment for the northwestern territory. He
was an emancipationist of that day, and favored the exclusion of slavery
from the territory Virginia had ceded to the general government; but
the South voted him down as often as it came up. In 1787, as late as
July 10, an organizing act without the anti-slavery clause was pending.
This concession to the South was expected to carry it. Congress was in
118 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
•
session in New York Cit3^ On July 5, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of
Massachusetts, came into New York to lobby on the northwestern terri-
tory. Everything seemed to fall into his hands. Events were ripe.
The state of the public credit, the growing of Southern prejudice,
the basis of his mission, his personal character, all combined to complete
one of those sudden and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that
once in five or ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the
breath of the Almighty. Cutler was a graduate of Yale — received his
A.M. from Harvard, and his D.D. from Yale. He had studied and taken
degrees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. He
had thus America's best indorsement. He had published a scientific
examination of the plants of New England. His name stood second only
to that of Franklin as a scientist in America. He was a courtly gentle-
man of the old st3de, a man of commanding presence, and of inviting
face. The Southern members said they had never seen such a gentleman
in the North. He came representing a company that desired to purchase
a tract of land now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colony.
It was a speculation. Government money was worth eighteen cents on
the dollar. This Massachusetts company had collected enough to pur-
chase 1,500,000^ acres of land. Other speculators in New York made
Dr. Cutler their agent (lobbj'ist). On the 12th he represented a demand
for 5,500,000 acres. This would reduce the national debt. Jefferson
and Virginia were regarded as authority concerning the land Virginia
had just ceded. Jefferson's policy wanted to provide for the public credit,
and this was a good opportunity to do something.
Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the northwestern
region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught the inspira-
tion, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The English minister invited him to
dine with some of the Southern gentlemen. He was the center of interest.
The entire South rallied round him. Massachusetts could not vote
against him, because many of the constituents of her members were
interested personally in the western speculation. Thus Cutler, making
friends with the South, and, doubtless, using all the arts of the lobby,
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convictions, he
dictated one of the most compact and finished documents of wise states-
manship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from
Jefferson the term "Articles of Compact," which, preceding the federal
constitution, rose into the most sacred character. He then followed very
closely the constitution of Massachusetts, adopted three years before.
Its most marked points were :
1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever.
2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a seminary,
t)
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 119
and every section numbered 16 in each township ; that is, one-thirty-sixth
of all the land, for public schools.
3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any consti'tution or the
enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts.
Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " Religion,
morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always
be encouraged."
Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield.
Griving his unqualified declaration that it was that or nothing — that unless
they could make the land desirable they did not want it — he took his
horse and buggy, and started for the constitutional convention in Phila-
delphia. On July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was
unanimously adopted, every Southern member voting for it, and only one
man, Mr. Yates, of New York, voting against it. But as the States voted
as States, Yates lost his vote, and tJie compact was put beyond repeal.
Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis-
consin — a vast empire, the heart of the great valley — were consecrated
to freedom, intelligence, and honesty. Thus the great heart of the nation
was prepared for a year and a day and an hour. In the light of these eighty-
nine years I afl&rm that this act was the salvation of the republic and the
destruction of slavery. Soon the South saw their great blunder, and
tried to repeal the compact. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee
of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance
was a compact, and opposed repeal. Thus it stood a rock, in the way
of the on-rushing sea of slavery.
With all this timely aid it was, after all, a most desperate and pro-
tracted struggle to keep the soil of Illinois sacred to freedom. It was
the natural battle-field for the irrepressible conflict. In the southern end
of the State slavery preceded the compact. It existed among the old
French settlers, and was hard to eradicate. The southern part of the
State was settled from the slave States, and this population brought their
laws, customs, and institutions with them. A stream of population from
the North poured into the northern part of the State. These sections
misunderstood and hated each other perfectly. The Southerners regarded
the Yankees as a skinning, tricky, penurious race of peddlers, filling the
country with tinware, brass clocks, and wooden nutmegs. The North-
erner thought of the Southerner as a lean, lank, lazy creature, burrowing
in a hut, and rioting in whisky, dirt and ignorance. These causes aided
in making the struggle long and bitter. So strong was the sympathy
with slavery that, in spite of the ordinance of 1787, and in spite of the
deed of cession, it was determined to allow the old French settlers to
retain their slaves. Planters from the slave States mioht bring their
120 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
slaves, if they would give them a chance to choose freedom or years
of service and bondage for their children till they should become
thirty years of age. If they chose freedom they must leave the State
in sixtv days or be sold as fugitives. Servants were whipped for offenses
for which white men are fined. Each lash paid forty cents of the fine. A
neo-ro ten miles from home without a pass was whipped. These famous
laws were imported from the slave States just as they imported laws foi
the inspection of flax and wool when there was neither in the State.
These Black Laws are now wiped out. A vigorous effort was made
to protect slavery in the State Constitution of 1817. It barely failed.
It was renewed in 1825, when ^ convention was asked to make a new
constitution. After a hard fight the convention was defeated. Bat
slaves did not disappear from the census of the State until 1850. There
were mobs and murders in the interest of slavery. Lovejoy was added
to the list of martyrs— a sort of first-fruits of that long life of immortal
heroes who saw freedom as the one supreme desire of their souls, and
were so enamored of her that they preferred to die rather than survive her.
The population of 12,282 that occupied the territory in A.D. 1800,
increased to 45,000 in A.D. 1818, when the State Constitution was
adopted, and Illinois took her place in the Union, with a star on the flag
and two votes in the Senate.
Shadrach Bond was the first Governor, and in his first message he
recommended the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
The simple economy in those days is seen in the fact that the entire
bill for stationery for the first Legislature was only il3.50. Yet this
simple body actually enacted a very superior code.
There was no money in the territory before the war of 1812. Deer
skins and coon skins were the circulating medium. In 1821, the Legis-
lature ordained a State Bank on the credit of the State. It issued notes
in the likeness of bank bills. These notes were made a legal tender for
every thing, and the bank was ordered to loan to the people flOO on per-
sonal security, and more on mortgages. They actually passed a resolu-
tion requesting the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to
receive these notes for land. The old French Lieutenant Governor, Col.
Menard, put the resolution as follows: " Gentlemen of the Senate : It is
moved and seconded dat de notes of dis hank be made land-office money.
All in favor of dat motion say aye ; all against it say no. It is decided
in de affirmative. Now, gentlemen, I bet you one hundred dollar he
never be land-office money ! " Hard sense, like hard money, is always
above par.
This old Frenchman presents a fine figure up against the dark back-
ground of most of his nation. They made no progress. They clung to
their earliest and simplest implements. They never wore hats or cap?
HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 121
They pulled their blankets over their heads in the winter like the Indians,
with whom they freely intermingled.
Demagogism had an early development. One John Grammar (only
in name), elected to the Territorial and State Legislatures of 1816 and
1836, invented the policy of opposing every new thing, saying, " If it
succeeds, no one will ask who voted against it. If it proves a failure, he
could quote its record." In sharp contrast with Grammar was the char-
acter of D. P. Cook, after whom the county containing Chicago was
named. Such was his transparent integrity and remarkable ability that
his will was almost the law of the State. In Congress, a young man,
and from a poor State, he was made Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. He was pre-eminent for standing by his committee, regard-
less of consequences. It was his integrity that elected John Quincy
Adams to the Presidency. There were four candidates in 1821, Jackson,
Clay, Crawford, and John Quincy Adams. There being no choice by the
people, the election was thrown into the House. It was so balanced that
it turned on his vote, and that he cast for Adams, electing him ; then
went home to face the wrath of the Jackson party in Illinois. It cost
him all but character and greatness. It is a suggestive comment on the
times, that there was no legal interest till 1830. It often reached 150
per cent., usually 50 per cent. Then it was reduced to 12, and now to
10 per cent.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PRAIRIE STATE.
In area the State has 55,410 square miles of territory. It is about
150 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching in latitude from Maine to
North Carolina. It embraces wide variety of climate. It is tempered
on the north by the great inland, saltless, tideless sea, which keeps the
thermometer from either extreme. Being a table land, from 600 to 1,600
feet above the level of the sea, one is prepared to find on the health
maps, prepared by the general government, an almost clean and perfect
record. In freedom from fever and malarial diseases and consumptions,
the three deadly enemies of the American' Saxon, Illinois, as a State,
stands without a superior. She furnishes one of the essential conditions
of a great people — sound bodies. I suspect that this fact lies back of
that old Delaware word, Illini, superior men.
The great battles of history that have been determinative of dynas-
ties and destinies have been strategical battles, chiefly the question of
position. Thermopylae has been the war-cry of freemen for twenty-four
centuries. It only tells how much there may be in position. All this
advantage belongs to Illinois. It is in the heart of the greatest valley in
the world, the vast region between the mountains — a valley that could
122
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
feed mankind for one thousand years. It is well on toward the center of
the continent. It is in the great temperate belt, in which have been
found nearly all the aggressive civilizations of history. It has sixty-five
miles of frontage on the head of the lake. With the Mississippi forming
the western and southern boundarv, with the Ohio running along the
southeastern line, with the Illinois River and Canal dividing the State
diagonally from the lake to the Lower Mississippi, and with the Rock and
Wabash Rivers furnishing altogether 2,000 miles of water-front, con-
necting with, and running through, in all about 12,000 miles of navi-
gable water.
But tliis is not all. These waters are made most available by the
fact that the lake and the State lie on the ridge running into the great
valley from the east. Within cannon-shot of the lake the water runs-
away from the lake to the Gulf. The lake now empties at both ends,
one into the Atlantic and one into the Gulf of Mexico. The lake thus-
seems to hang over the land. This makes the dockage most serviceable ;.
there are no steep banks to damage it. Both lake and river are made-
for use.
The climate varies from Portland to Richmond ; it favors every pro-
duct of the continent, including the tropics, with less than half a dozen
exceptions. It produces every great nutriment of the world except ban-
anas and rice. It is hardly too much to say that it is the most productive
spot known to civilization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full
of minerals ; with an upper surface of food and an under layer of fuel j
with perfect natural drainage, and abundant springs and streams ancE
navigable rivers ; half way between the forests of the North and the fruits
of the South ; within a day's ride of the great deposits of iron, coal, cop-
per, lead, and zinc ; containing and controlling the great grain, cattle^
pork, and lumber markets of the world, it is not strange that Illinois has
the advantage of position.
This advantage has been supplemented by the character of the popu-
lation. Jn the early days when Illinois was first admitted to the Union^
her population were cliiefly from Kentucky and Virginia. But, in th&
conflict of ideas concerning slavery, a strong tide of emigration came in.
from the East, and soon changed this composition. In 1870 her non-
native population were from colder soils. New York furnished 133,290 ;,
Ohio gave 162,623; Pennsylvania sent on 98,352; the entire South gave-
us only 206,734. In all her cities, and in all her German and Scandina-
vian and other foreign colonies, Illinois has only about one-fifth of her
people of foreign birth.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 123
PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT.
One of the greatest elements in the early development of Illinois is
the Illinois and Michigan Canal, connecting the Illinois and Mississippi
Rivers with the lakes. It was of the utmost importance to the State.
It was recommended by Gov. Bond, the first governor, in his first message.
In 1821, the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route.
Two bright young engineers surveyed it, and estimated the cost at
1600,000 or $700,000. It finally cost 18,000,000. In 1825, a law was
passed to incorporate the Canal Company, but no stock was sold. In
1826, upon the solicitation of Cook, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land
on the line of the work. In 1828, another law — commissioners appointed,
and work commenced with new survey and new estimates. In 1834-35,
George Farquhar made an able report on the whole matter. This was,
doubtless, the ablest report ever made to a western legislature, and it
became the model for subsequent reports and action. From this the
work went on till it was finished in 1848. It cost the State a laro^e
amount of money ; but it gave to the industries of the State an impetus
that pushed it up into the first rank of greatness. It was not built as a
speculation any more than a doctor is employed on a speculation. But
it has paid into the Treasary of the State an average annual net sum of
over $111,000.
Pending the construction of the canal, the land and town-lot fever
broke out in the State, in 1834-35. It took on the malignant type in
Chicago, lifting the town up into a city. The disease spread over the
entire State and adjoining States. It was epidemic. It cut up men's
farms without regard to locality, aiid Jut up the purses of the purchasers
without regard to consequences. It is estimated that building lots enough
were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the
United States.
Towns and cities were exported to uhe Eastern market by the ship-
load. There was no lack of buyers. Ever/ up-ship came freighted with
speculators and their money.
This distemper seized upon the Legislature in 1836-37, and left not
one to tell the tale. They enacted a system of internal improvement
without a parallel in the grandeur of its conception. They ordered the
construction of 1,300 miles of railroad, crossing the State in all direc-
tions. This was surpassed by the river and canal improvements.
There were a few counties not touched by either railroad or river or
canal, and those were to be comforted and compensated by the free dis-
tribution of $200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond cre-
dence it was ordered that work should be commenced on both ejids of
124 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
each of these raih-oads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the
same time. The appropriations for these vast improvements were over
112,000,000, and commissioners were appointed to borrow the money on
the credit of the State. Remember that all this was in the early days of
railroading, when railroads were luxuries ; that the State had whole
counties with scarcely a cabin ; and that the population of the State was
less than 400,000, and you can form some idea of the vigor with which
these brave men undertook the work of making a great State. In the
light of history I am compelled to say that this was only a premature
throb of the power that actually slumbered in the soil of the State. It
was Hercules in the cradle.
At this juncture the State Bank loaned its funds largely to Godfrey
Oilman & Co., and to other leading houses, for the purpose of drawing
trade from St. Louis to Alton. Soon they failed, and took down the
bank with them.
In 1840, all hope seemed gone. A population of 480,000 were loaded
with a debt of $14,000,000. It had only six small cities, really only
towns, namely : Chicago, Alton, Springfield, Quincy, Galena, Nauvoo.
This debt was to be cared for when there was not a dollar in the treas-
ury, and when the State had borrowed itself out of all credit, and when
there was not good money enough in the hands of all the people to pay
the interest of the debt for a single year. Yet, in the presence of all
these difficulties, the young State steadily refused to repudiate. Gov.
Ford took hold of the problem and solved it, bringing the State through
in triumph.
Having touched lightly upon some of the more distinctive points in
the history of the development of Illinois, let us next briefly consider the
MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE.
It is a garden four hundred miles long and one hundred and fifty
miles wide. Its soil is chiefly a black sandy loam, from six inches to
sixty feet thick. On the American bottoms it has been cultivated for
one hundred and fifty years without renewal. About the old French
towns it has yielded corn for a century and a half without rest or help.
It produces nearly everything green in the temperate and tropical zones.
She leads all other States in the number of acres actually under plow.
Her products from 25,000,000 of acres are incalculable. Her mineral
wealth is scarcely second to her agricultural power. She has coal, iron,
lead, copper, zinc, many varieties of building stone, fire clay, cunia clay,
common brick clay, sand of all kinds, gravel, mineral paint — every thing
needed for a hi^h civilization. Left to herself, she has the elements of
all greatness. The single item of coal is too vast for an appreciative
o
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 125
handling in figures. We can handle it in general terms like algebraical
signs, but long before we get up into the millions and billions the human
mind drops down from comprehension to mere symbolic apprehension.
When I tell you that nearly four-fifths of the entire State is under-
laid with a deposit of coal more than forty feet thick on the average (now
estimated, by recent surveys, at seventy feet thick), you can get some
idea of its amount, as you do of the amount of the national debt. There
it is ! 41,000 square miles — one vast mine into which you could put
any of the States ; in which you could bury scores of European and
ancient empires, and have room enough all round to work without know-
ing that they had been sepulchered there.
Put this vast coal-bed down by the other great coal deposits of the
world, and its importance becomes manifest. Great Britain has 12,000
square miles of coal; Spain, 3,000; France, 1,719; Belgium, 578; Illinois
about twice as many square miles as all combined. Virginia has 20,000
square miles ; Pennsylvania, 16,000 ; Ohio, 12,000. Illinois has 41,000
square miles. One-seventh of all the known coal on this continent is in
Illinois.
Could we sell the coal in this single State for one-seventh of one cent
a ton it would pay the national debt. Converted into power, even with
the wastage in our common engines, it would do more work than could
be done by the entire race, beginning at Adam's wedding and working
ten hours a day through all the centuries till the present time, and right
on into the future at the same rate for the next 600,000 years.
Great Britain uses enough mechanical power to-day to give to each
man, woman, and child in the kingdom the help and service of nineteen
untiring servants. No wonder she has leisure and luxuries. No wonder
the home of the common artisan has in it more luxuries than could be
found in the palace of good old King Arthur. Think, if you can conceive
of it, of the vast army of servants that slumber in the soil of Illinois,
impatiently awaiting the call of Genius to come forth to minister to our
comfort.
At the present rate of consumption England's coal supply will be
exhausted in 250 years. When this is gone she must transfer her dominion
either to the Indies, or to British America, which I would not resist ; or
to some other people, which I would regret as a loss to civilization.
COAL IS KING.
At the same rate of consumption (which far exceeds our own) the
deposit of coal in Illinois will last 120,000 years. And her kingdom shall
be an everlasting kingdom.
Let us turn now from this reserve power to the annual products of
126 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
the State. We shall not be humiliated in this field. Here we strike the
secret of our national credit. Nature provides a market in the constant
appetite of the race. Men must eat, and if we can furnish the provisions
we can command the treasure. All that a man hath will he give for his
life.
According to the last census Illinois produced 30,000,000 of bushels
of wheat. That is more wheat than was raised by any other State in the
Union. She raised In 1875, 130,000,000 of bushels of corn — twice as
much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn raised in the United
States. She harvested 2,747,000 tons of hay, nearl}^ one-tenth of all the
hay in the Republic. It is not generally ajjpreciated, but it is true, that
the hay crop of the country is worth more than the cotton crop. The
hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana. Go to Charleston, S. C,
and see them peddling handfuls of hay or grass, almost as a curiosity,
as we regard Chinese gods or the cryolite of Greenland ; drink your
coffee and condensed milk ; and walk back from the coast for many a
league through the sand and burs till you get up into the better atmos-
phere of the mountains, without seeing a waving meadow or a grazing
herd ; then you will begin to appreciate the meadows of the Prairie State,
where the grass often grows sixteen feet high.
The value of her farm implements is $211,000,000, and the value of
her live stock is only second to the great State of New York. in 1875
she had 25,000,000 hogs, and packed 2,113,845, about one-half of ail that
were packed in the United States. This is no insignificant item. Pork
is a growing demand of the old world. Since the laborers of Europe
have gotten a taste of our bacon, and we have learned how to pack it dry
in boxes, like diy goods, the world has become the market.
The hosr is on the march into the future. His nose is ordained to
uncover the secrets of dominion, and his feet shall be guided by the star
of empire.
Illinois marketed $57,000,000 worth of slaughtered animals — more
than any other State, and a seventh of all the States.
Be patient with me, and pardon my pride, and I will give you a list
of some of the things in which Illinois excels all other States.
Depth and richness of soil ; per cent, of good ground ; acres of
improved land ; large farms — some farms contain from 40,000 to 60,000
acres of cultivated land, 40,000 acres of corn on a single farm ; number of
farmers ; amount of wheat, corn, oats and honey produced ; value of ani-
mals for slaughter; number of hogs; amount of pork; number of horses
— three times as many as Kentucky, the horse State.
Illinois excels all other States in miles of railroads and in miles of
postal service, and in money orders sold per annum, and in the amount of
lumber sold in her markets.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 12T
Illinois is only second in many important matters. This sample list
comprises a few of the more important : Permanent school fund (good
for a 3'oung" state) ; total income for educational purposes ; number of pub-
lishers of books, maps, papers, etc.; value of farm products and imple-
ments, and of live stock ; in tons of coal mined.
The shipping of Illinois is only second to New York. Out of one
port during the business hours of the season of navigation she sends forth
a vessel every ten minutes. This does not include canal boats, which go
one every five minutes. No wonder she is only second in number of
bankers and brokers or in physicians and surgeons.
She is third in colleges, teachers and schools ; cattle, lead, hay^
flax, sorghum and beeswax.
She is fourth in population, >n children enrolled in public schools, in
law schools, in butter, potatoes and carriages.
She is fifth in value of real and personal property, in theological
seminaries and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold, and in boots,
and shoes manufactured, and in book-binding.
She is only seventh in the production of wood, while she is the
twelfth in area. Surely that is well done for the Prairie State. She now
has much more wood and growing timber than she had thirty years ago.
A few leading industries will justify emphasis. She manufactures-
$205,000,000 worth of goods, which places her well up toward New York
and Pennsylvania. The number of her manufacturing establishments
increased from 1860 to 1870, 300 per cent.; capital employed increased 350^
per cent., and the amount of product increased 400 per cent. She issued
5,500,000 copies of commercial and financial newspapers — only second to
New York. She has 6,759 miles of railroad, thus leading all other States,
worth $636,458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train
long enough to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her
stations are only five miles apart. She carried last year 15,795,000 passen-
gers, an average of 36^ miles, or equal to taking her entire population twice-
across the State. More than two-thirds of her land is within five miles of
a railroad, and less than two per cent, is more than fifteen miles away.
The State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central railroad..
The road was incorporated in 1850, and the State gave each alternate sec-
tion for six miles on each side, and doubled the price of the remaining-
land, so keeping herself good. The road received 2,595,000 acres of land,
and pays to the State one-seventh of the gross receipts. The State
receives this year $350,000, and has received in all about $7,000,000. It
is practically the people's road, and it has a most able and gentlemanly
management. Add to this the annual receipts from the canal, $111, 000*
and a large per cent, of the State tax is provided for.
128 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE RELIGION AND MORALS
of the State keep step with her productions and growth. She was born
of the missionary spirit. It was a minister who secured for her the ordi-
nance of 1787, by which she has been saved from slavery, ignorance, and
dishonesty. Rev. Mr. Wiley, pastor of a Scotch congregation in Randolph
County, petitioned the Constitutional Convention of 1818 to recognize
Jesus Christ as king, and the Scriptures as the only necessary guide and
book of law. The convention did not act in the case, and the old Cove-
nanters refused to accept citizenship. They never voted until 1824, when
the slavery question was submitted to the people; then they all voted
against it and cast the determining votes. Conscience has predominated
whenever a great moral question has been submitted to the people.
But little mob violence has ever been felt in the State. In 1817
regulators disposed of a band of horse-thieves that infested the territory.
The Mormon indignities finallj^ awoke the same spirit. Alton was also
the scene of a pro-slavery mob, in which Lovejoy was added to the list of
martyrs. The moral sense of the people makes the law supreme, and gives
to the State unrufiSed peace.
With $22,300,000 in church property, and 4,298 church organizations,
the State has that divine police, the sleepless patrol of moral ideas, that
alone is able to secure perfect safety. Conscience takes the knife from
the assassin's hand and the bludgeon from the grasp of the highwa3^man.
We sleep in safety, not because we are behind bolts and bars — these only
fence against the innocent ; not because a lone officer drowses on a distant
corner of a street; not because a sheriff may call his posse from a remote
part of the county ; but because conscience guards the very portals of the
iiir and stirs in the deepest recesses of the public mind. This spirit issues
within the State 9,500,000 copies of religious papers annually, and receives
still more from without. Thus the crime of the State is only one-fourth
that of New York and one-half that of Pennsylvania.
Illinois never had but one duel between her own citizens. In Belle-
ville, in 1820, Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett arranged to vindi-
cate injured honor. The seconds agreed to make it a sham, and make
them shoot blanks. Stewart was in the secret. Bennett mistrusted some-
thing, and, unobserved, slipped a bullet into his gun and killed Stewart.
He then fled the State. After two years he was caught, tried, convicted,
and, in spite of friends and political aid, was hiing. This fixed the code
of honor on a Christian basis, and terminated its use in Illinois.
The early preachers were ignorant men, who were accounted eloquent
according to the strength of their voices. But they set the style for all
public speakers. Lawyers and political speakers followed this rule. Gov.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 129
Ford says: "Nevertheless, these first preachers were of incalculable
benefit to the country. They inculcated justice and morality. To them
are we indebted for the first Christian character of the Protestant portion
of the people."
In education Illinois surpasses her material resources. The ordinance
of 1787 consecrated one thirty-sixth of her soil to common schools, and
the law of 1818, the first law that went upon her statutes, gave three per
cent, of all the rest to
EDUCATION.
The old compact secures this interest forever, and by its yoking
morality and intelligence it precludes the legal interference with the Bible
in the public schools. With such a start it is natural that we should have
11,050 schools, and that our illiteracy should be less than New York or
Pennsylvania, and only about one-half of Massachusetts. We are not to
blame for not having more than one-half as many idiots as the great
States. These public schools soon made colleges inevitable. The first
college, still flourishing, was started in Lebanon in 1 828, by the M. E..
church, and named after Bishop McKendree. Illinois College, at Jackson-
ville, supported by the Presbyterians, followed in 1830. In 1832 the Bap-
tists built Shurtleff College, at Alton. Then the Presbyterians built Knox
College, at Galesburg, in 1838, and the Episcopalians built Jubilee College,
at Peoria, in 1847. After these early years colleges have rained down.
A settler could hardly encamp on the prairie but a college would spring
up by his wagon. The State now has one very well endowed and equipped
university, namely, the Northwestern University, at Evanston, with six
colleges, ninety instructors, over 1,000 students, and #1,500,000 endow-
ment.
Rev. J. M. Peck was the first educated Protestant minister m tne
State. He settled at Rock Spring, in St. Clair County, 1820, and left his
impress on the State. Before 1837 only party papers were published, but
Mr. Peck published a Gazetteer of Illinois. Soon after John Russell, of
Bluffdale, published essays and tales showing genius. Judge James Hall
published The Illinois Monthly Magazine with great ability, and an annual
called The Western Souvenir^ which gave him an enviable fame all over the
United States. From these beginnings Illinois has gone on till she has
more volumes in public libaaries even than Massachusetts, and of the
44,500,000 volumes in all the public libraries of the United States, she
has one-thirteenth. In newspapers she stands fourth. Her increase is
marvelous. In 1850 she issued 5,000,000 copies ; in 1860, 27,590,000 ; in
1870, 113,140,000. In 1860 she had eighteen colleges and seminaries ; in
1870 she had eighty. That is a grand advance for the war decade.
This brings us to a record unsurpassed in the history of any age,
130 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE WAR RECORD OF ILLINOIS.
I hardly know where to begin, or how to advance, or what to say. I
can at best give you only a broken synopsis of her deeds, and you must
put them in the order of glory for yourself. Her sons have always been
foremost on fields of danger. In 1832-33, at the call of Gov. Reynolds,
her sons drove Blackhawk over the Mississippi.
When the Mexican war came, in May, 1846, 8,370 men offered them-
selves when only 3,720 could be accepted. The fields of Buena Vista and
Vera Cruz, and the storming of Cerro Gordo, will carry the glory of Illinois
soldiers along after the infamy of the cause they served has been forgotten.
But it was reserved till our day for her sons to find a field and cause and
foemen that could fitly illustrate their spirit and heroism. Illinois put
into her own regiments for the United States government 256,000 men,
and into the army through other States enough to swell the number to
290,000. This far exceeds all the soldiers of the federal government in
all the war of the revolution. Her total years of service were over 600,000.
She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-five 3^ears of age when the law
of Congress in 1864 — the test time — only asked for those from twenty to
forty-five. Her enrollment was otherwise excessive. Her people wanted
to go, and did not take the pains to correct the enrollment. Thus the
basis of fixing the quota was too great, and then the quota itself, at least
in the trying time, was far above any other State.
Thus the demand on some counties, as Monroe, for example, took every
able-bodied man in the county, and then did not have enough to fill the
quota. Moreover, Illinois sent 20,814 men for ninety or one hundred days,
for whom no credit was asked. When Mr. Lincoln's attention was called
to the inequality of the quota compared with other States, he replied,
" The country needs the sacrifice. We must put the whip on the free
horse." In spite of all these disadvantages Illinois gave to the country
73,000 years of service above all calls. With one-thirteenth of the popu-
lation of the loyal States, she sent regularly one-tenth of all the soldiers,
and in the peril of the closing calls, when patriots were few and weary,
she then sent one-eighth of all that were called for by her loved and hon-
ored son in the white house. Her mothers and daughters went into the
fields to raise the grain and keep the children together, w^hile the fathers
and older sons went to the harvest fields of the world. I knew a father
and four sons who agreed that one of them must stay at home ; and they
pulled straws from a stack to see who might go. The father was left.
The next day he came into the camp, saying : " Mother says she can get
the crops in, and I am going, too." I know large Methodist churches
from which every male member went to the army. Do you want to know
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 131
what these heroes from Illinois did in the field ? Ask any soldier with a
good record of his own, who is thus able to judge, and he will tell you
that the Illinois men went in to win. It is common history that the greater
victories were won in the West. When everything else looked dark Illi-
nois was gaining victories all down the river, and dividing the confederacy.
Sherman took with him on his great march forty-five regiments of Illinois
infantry, three companies of artillery, and one company of cavalry. He
could not avoid
GOING TO THE SEA.
If he had been killed, I doubt not the men would have gone right on.
Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible ;
there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers
brought home 300 battle-flags. The first United States flag that floated
over Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to
every field and hospital, to care for her sick and wounded sons. She said,
*' These suffering ones are my sons, and I will care for them."
When individuals had given all, then cities and towns came forward
with their credit to the extent of many millions, to aid these men and
their families.
Illinois gave the country the great general of the war — Ulysses S.
Grant — since honored with two terms of the Presidency of the United
States.
One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all
hearts, that must have the supreme place in this story of our glory and
of our nation's honor ; that name is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois.
The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difflcult on account of its
symmetry.
In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty.
And well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length
and breadth of our country who knew him only as " Honest Old Abe,"
vote'd for him on that account ; and wisely did they choose, for no other
man could have carried us through the fearful night of the war. When
his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause
too sublime for our participation ; when it was all night about us, and all
dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us ; when not one ray
shone upon our cause ; when traitors were haughty and exultant at the
South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North ; when the loyal men here
seemed almost in the minority ; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest
cheek paled ; when generals were defeating each other for place, and
contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the prostrate
republic : when every thing else had failed us, we looked at this calm,
patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said : " Mr. Lincoln
132 HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with
the energy of faith and despair we held together, and, under God, he
brought us through to victory.
His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such
certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his
foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic.
He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory shall shed a
glory upon this age that shall fill the eyes of men as they look into his-
tory. Other men have excelled him in some point, but, taken at all
points, all in all, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of
6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of
unparalleled civil war. A statesman, he justified his measures by their
success. A philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to
another. A moralist, he bowed from the summit of human power to the
foot of the Cross, and became a Christian. A mediator, he exercised mercy
under the most absolute abeyance to law. A leader, he was no partisan.
A commander, he was untainted with blood. A ruler in desperate times,
he was unsullied with crime. A man, he has left no word of passion, no
thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of
selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model, and without a peer,
he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that
is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming
time the representative of the divine idea of free government.
It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the
republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time ; when the great
war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon ;
when the Anglo-Saxon language shall be spoken only by the tongue of
the stranger ; then the generations looking this way shall see the great
president as the supreme figure in this vortex of historv
CHICAGO.
It is impossible in our brief space to give more than a meager sketch
of such a city as Chicago, which is in itself the greatest marvel of the
Prairie State. This mysterious, majestic, miglity city, born first of water,
and next of fire; sown in weakness, and raised in power ; planted among
the willows of the marsh, and crowned with the glory of the mountains ;
sleeping on the bosom of the prairie, and rocked on the bosom of the sea ,
the youngest city of the world, and still the eye of the prairie, as Damas-
cus, the oldest city of the world, is the eye of the desert. AVith a com-
merce far exceeding that of Corinth on her isthmus, in the highway to
the East ; with the defenses of a continent piled around her by the tliou-
sand miles, making her far safer than Rome on the banks of the Tiber ;
HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
133
CO
CO
CO
o
o
a
>84 HISTOllY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
with schools eclipsing Alexandria and Athens ; with liberties more con-
spicuous than those of the old republics ; with a heroism equal to the first
Carthage, and with a sanctity scarcely second to that of Jerusalem — set
your thoughts on all this, lifted into the eyes of all men by the miracle of
its growth, illuminated by the flame of its fall, and transfigured by the
divinity of its resurrection, and you will feel, as I do, the utter impossi-
bility of compassing this subject as it deserves. Some impression of her
importance is received from the shock her burning gave to the civilized
world.
When the doubt of her calamity was removed, and the horrid fact
was accepted, there went a shudder over all cities, and a quiver over all
lands. There was scarcely a town in the civilized world that did not
shake on the brink of this opening chasm. The flames of our homes red-
dened all skies. The city was set upon a hill, and could not be hid. All
eyes were turned upon it. To have struggled and suffered amid the
scenes of its fall is as distinguishing as to have fought at Thermopylse, or
Salamis, or Hastings, or Waterloo, or Bunker Hill.
Its calamity amazed the world, because it was felt to be the common
property of mankind.
The early history of the city is full of interest, just as the early his-
tory of such a man as Washington or Lincoln becomes public property,
and is cherished by every patriot.
Starting with 560 acres in 1833, it embraced and occupied 23,000
acres in 1869, and, having now a population of more than 500,000, it com-
mands general attention.
The first settler — Jean Baptiste Pointe au Sable, a mulatto from the
West Indies — came and began trade with the Indians in 1796. John
Kinzie became his successor in 1804, in which year Fort Dearborn was
erected.
A mere trading-post was kept here from that time till about the time
of the Blackhawk war, in 1832. It was not the city. It was merely a
cock crowing at midnight. The morning was not yet. In 1833 the set-
tlement about the fort was incorporated as a town. The voters were
divided on the propriety of such corporation, twelve voting for it and one
against it. Four years later it was incorporated as a city, and embraced
660 acres.
The produce handled in this city is an indication of its power. Grain
and flour were imported from the East till as late as 1837. The first
exportation by way of experiment was in 1839. Exports exceeded imports
first in 1842. The Board of Trade was organized in 1848, but it was so
weak that it needed nursing till 1855. Grain was purchased by the
* wagon-load in the street.
I remember sitting with my father on a load of wheat, in the long
HISTOKY OF THE STATE OE ILLINOIS. 135
line of wagons along Lake street, while the buyers came and untied the
bags, and examined the grain, and made their bids. That manner of
business had to cease with the day of small things. Now our elevators
will hold 15,000,000 bushels of grain. The cash value of the produce
handled in a year is $215,000,000, and the produce weighs 7,000,000
tons or 700,000 car loads. This handles thirteen and a half ton each
minute, all the year round. One tenth of all the wheat in the United
States is handled in Chicago. Even as long ago as 1853 the receipts of
grain in Chicago exceeded those of the goodly city of St. Louis, and in
1854 the exports of grain from Chicago exceeded those of New York and
doubled those of St. Petersburg, Archangel, or Odessa, the largest grain
markets in Europe.
The manufacturing interests of the city are not contemptible. In
1873 manufactories employed 45,000 operatives ; in 1876, 60,000. The
manufactured product in 1875 was worth $177,000,000.
No estimate of the size and power of Chicago would be adequate
that did not put large emphasis on the railroads. Before they came
thundering along our streets canals were the hope of our country. But
who ever thinks now of traveling by canal packets ? In June, 1852,
there were only forty miles of railroad connected with the city. The
old Galena division of the Northwestern ran out to Elgin. But now,
who can count the trains and measure the roads that seek a terminus or
connection in this city ? The lake stretches away to the north, gathering
in to this center all the harvests that might otherwise pass to the north
of us. If you will take a map and look at the adjustment of railroads,
you will see, first, that Chicago is the great railroad center of the world,
as New York is the commercial city of this continent ; and, second, that
the railroad lines form the iron spokes of a great wheel whose hub is
this city. The lake furnishes the only break in the spokes, and this
seems simply to have pushed a few spokes together on each shore. See
the eighteen trunk lines, exclusive of eastern connections.
Pass round the circle, and view their numbers and extent. There
is the great Northwestern, with all its branches, one branch creeping
along the lake shore, and so reaching to the north, into the Lake Superior
regions, away to the right, and on to the Northern Pacific on the left,
swinging around Green Bay for iron and copper and silver, twelve months
in the year, and reaching out for the wealth of the great agricultural
belt and isothermal line traversed by the Northern Pacific. Another
branch, not so far north, feeling for the heart of the Badger State.
Another pushing lower down tlie Mississippi — all these make many con-
nections, and tapping all the vast wheat regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Iowa, and all the regions this side of sunset. There is that elegant road,
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, running out a goodly number of
136
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
OLD FOET DEARBORN, 1830.
PEESENT SITE OF J.AKK .STUKET llUllXiE, CUICAGO, IX
1833.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 13T
branches, and reaping the great fields this side of the Missouri River.
I can only mention the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis, our Illinois Central,
described elsewhere, and the Chicago & Rock Island. Further around
we come to the lines connecting us with all the eastern cities. The
Chicago, Indianapolis &, St. Louis, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne &
Chicago, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan Cen-
tral and Great Western, give us many highways to the seaboard. Thus we
reach the Mississippi at five points, from St. Paul to Cairo and the Gulf
itself by two routes. We also reach Cincinnati and Baltimore, and Pitts-
burgh and Philadelphia, and New York. North and south run the water
courses of the lakes and the rivers, broken just enough at this point to
make a pass. Through this, from east to west, run the long lines that
stretch from ocean to ocean.
This is the neck of the glass, and the golden sands of commerce
must pass into our hands. Altogether we have more than 10,000 miles
of railroad, directly tributary to this city, seeking to unload their wealth
in our coffers. All these roads have come themselves by the infallible
instinct of capital. Not a dollar was ever given by the city to secure
one of them, and only a small per cent, of stock taken originally by her
citizens, and that taken simply as an investment. Coming in the natural
order of events, they will not be easily diverted.
There is still another showing to all this. The connection between
New York and San Francisco is by the middle route. This passes inevit-
ably through Chicago. St. Louis wants the Southern Pacific or Kansas
Pacific, and pushes it out through Denver, and so on up to Cheyenne.
But before the road is fairly under way, the Chicago roads shove out to
Kansas City, making even the Kansas Pacific a feeder, and actually leav-
ing St. Louis out in the cold. It is not too much to expect that Dakota,
Montana, and Washington Territory will find their great market in Chi-
cago.
But these are not all. Perhaps I had better notice here the ten or
fifteen new roads that have just entered, or are just entering, our city.
Their names are all that is necessary to give. Chicago & St. Paul, look-
ing up the Red River country to the British possessions ; the Chicago,
Atlantic & Pacific ; the Chicago, Decatur & State Line ; the Baltimore &
Ohio; the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes; the Chicago & LaSalle Rail-
road ; the Chicago, Pittsburgh & Cincinnati ; the Chicago and Canada
Southern ; the Chicago and Illinois River Railroad. These, with their
connections, and with the new connections of the old roads, already in
process of erection, give to Chicago not less than 10,000 miles of new
tributaries from the richest land on the continent. Thus there will be
added to the reserve power, to the capital within reach of this city, not
less than $1,000,000,000.
138 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Add to all this transporting power the ships that sail one every nine
minutes of the business hours of the season of navigation ; add, also, the
canal boats that leave one every five minutes during the same time — and
you will see something of the business of the city.
THE COMMERCE OF THIS CITY
has been leaping along to keep pace with the growth of the country
around us. In 1852, our commerce reached the hopeful sum of
820,000,000. In 1870 it reached 1400,000,000. In 1871 it was pushed
up above $450,000,000. And in 1875 it touched nearly double that.
One-half of our imported goods come directly to Chicago. Grain
enough is exported directly from our docks to the old world to employ a
semi-weekly line of steamers of 3,000 tons capacity. This branch is
not likely to be greatly developed. Even after the great Welland Canal
is completed we shall have only fourteen feet of water. The great ocean
vessels will continue to control the trade.
The banking capital of Chicago is 824,431,000. Total exchange in
1875, $659,000,000. Her wholesale business in 1875 was $294,000,000.
The rate of taxes is less than in any other great city.
The schools of Chicago are unsurpassed in. America. Out of a popu-
lation of 300,000 there were only 186 persons between the ages of six
and twenty-one unable to read. This is the best known record.
In 1831 the mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who went
on foot to Niles, Mich., once in two weeks, and brought back what papers
and news he could find. As late as 1840 there was often only one mail^
a week. A post-office was established in Chicago in 1833, and the post-
master nailed up old boot-legs on one side of his shop to serve as boxes j
for the nabobs and literary men.
It is an interesting fact in the growth of the young city that in the
active life of the business men of that day the mail matter has grown to
a daily average of over 6,500 pounds. It speaks equally well for the
intelligence of the people and the commercial importance of the place, ;
that the mail matter distributed to the territory immediately tributary toi
Chicago is seven times greater than that distributed to the territory
immediately tributary to St. Louis.
The improvements that have characterized the cit}^ are as startling,
as the city itself. In 1831, Mark Beaubien established a ferry over the
river, and put himself under bonds to carry all the citizens free for the
privilege of charging strangers. Now there are twenty-four large bridges j
and two tunnels.
In 1833 the government expended $30,000 on the harbor. Then
commenced that series of manoeuvers with the river that has made it one
HISTORY OF THE STATE OP H^LINOIS. 1'6'i)
of the world's curiosities. It used to wind around in the lower end of
the town, and make its way rippling over the sand into the lake at the
foot of Madison street. They took it up and put it down where it now
is. It was a narrow stream, so narrow that even moderately small crafts
had to go up through the willows and cat's tails to the point near Lake
street bridge, and back up one of the branches to get room enough in
which to turn around.
In 1844 the quagmires in the streets were first pontooned by plank
roads, which acted in wet weather as public squirt-guns. Keeping you
out of the mud, they compromised by squirting the mud over you. The
wooden-block pavements came to Chicago in 1857. In 1840 water was
delivered by peddlers in carts or by hand. Then a twenty -five horse-
power engine pushed it through hollow or bored logs along the streets
till 1854, when it was introduced into the houses by new works. The
first fire-engine was used in 1835, and the first steam fire-engine in 1859.
Gas was utilized for lighting the city in 1850. The Young Men's Chris-
tian Association was organized in 1858, and horse railroads carried them
to their work in 1859. The museum was opened in 1863. The alarm
telegraph adopted in 1864. The opera-house built in 1865. The city
grew from 560 acres in 1833 to 23,000 in 1869. In 1834, the taxes
amounted to $48.90, and the trustees of the town borrowed $60 more for
opening and improving streets. In 1835, the legislature authorized a loan
of $2,000, and the treasurer and street commissioners resigned rather than
plunge the town into such a gulf.
Now the city embraces 36 square miles of territory, and has 30 miles
of water front, besides the outside harbor of refuge, of 400 acres, inclosed
by a crib sea-wall. One-third of the city lias been raised up an average
of eight feet, giving good pitch to the 263 miles of sewerage. The water
of the city is above all competition. It is received through two tunnels
extending to a crib in the lake two miles from shore. The closest analy-
sis fails to detect any impurities, and, received 35 feet below the surface,
it is always clear and cold. The first tunnel is five feet two inches in
diameter and two miles long, and can deliver 50,000,000 of gallons per
day. The second tunnel is seven feet in diameter and six miles long,
running four miles under the city, and can deliver 100,000,000 of gal-
lons per day. This water is distributed through 410 miles of water-
mains.
The three grand engineering exploits of the city are : First, lifting
the city up on jack-screws, whole squares at a time, without interrupting
the business, thus giving us good drainage ; second, running the tunnels
under the lake, giving us the best water in the world ; and third, the
turning the current of the river in its own channel, delivering us from the
old abominations, and making decency possible. They redound about
140 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
equally to the credit of the engineering, to the energy of the people, and
to the health of the city.
That which really constitutes the city, its indescribable spirit, its soul,
the way it lights up in every feature in the hour of action, has not been
touched. In meeting strangers, one is often surprised how some homely
women marry so well. Their forms are bad, their gait uneven and awk-
ward, their complexion is dull, their features are misshapen and mismatch-
ed, and when we see them there is no beauty that we should desire them.
But when once they are aroused on some subject, they put on new pro-
portions. They light up into great power. The real person comes out
from its unseemly ambush, and captures us at will. They have power.
They have ability to cause things to come to pass. We no longer wonder
why they are in such high demand. So it is with our city.
There is no grand scenery except the two seas, one of water, the
other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about it, a push, a breadth,
a power, that soon makes it a place never to be forsaken. One soon
ceases to believe in impossibilities. Balaams are the only prophets that are
disappointed. The bottom that has been on the point of falling out has
been there so long that it has grown fast. It can not fall out. It has all
the capital of the world itching to get inside the corporation.
The two great laws that govern the growth and size of cities are,
first, the amount of territory for which they are the distributing and
receiving points ; second, the number of medium or moderate dealers that
do this distributing. Monopolists build up themselves, not the cities.
They neither eat, wear, nor live in proportion to their business. Both
these laws help Chicago.
The tide of trade is eastward — not up or down the map, but across
the map. The lake runs up a wingdam for 500 miles to gather in the
business. Commerce can not ferry up there for seven months in the year,
and the facilities for seven months can do the work for twelve. Then the
great region west of us is nearly all good, productive land. Dropping
south into the trail of St. Louis, you fall into vast deserts and rocky dis-
tricts, useful in holding the world together. St. Louis and Cincinnati,
instead of rivaling and hurling Chicago, are her greatest sureties of
dominion. They are far enough away to give sea-room, — farther off than
Paris is from London, — and yet they are near enough to prevent the
springing up of any other great city between them.
St. Louis will be helped by the opening of the Mississippi, but also
hurt. That will put New Orleans on her feet, and with a railroad running
over into Texas and so West, she will tap the streams that now crawl up
the Texas and Missouri road. The current is East, not North, and a sea-
port at New Orleans can not permanently help St. Louis.
Chicago is in the field almost alone, to handle the wealth of one-
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 141
fourth of the territory of this great republic. This strip of seacoast
divides its margins between Portland, Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Savannah, or some other great port to be created for the
South in the next decade. But Chicago has a dozen empires casting their
treasures into her lap. On a bed of coal that can run all the machinery
of the world for 500 centuries ; in a garden that can feed the race by the
thousand years ; at the head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a
summer resort equaled by no great city in the land ; with a climate that
insures the health of her citizens ; surrounded by all the great deposits
of natural wealth in mines aud forests and herds, Chicago is the wonder
of to-day, and will be the city of the future.
MASSACRE AT FORT DEARBORN.
During the war of 1812, Fort Dearborn became the theater of stirring
events. The garrison consisted of fifty-four men under command of
Captain Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant Helm (son-in-law of Mrs.
Kinzie) and Ensign Ronan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon. The only resi-
dents at the post at that time were the wives of Captain Heald and Lieu-
tenant Helm, and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and
a few Canadian voyageurs^ with their wives and children. The soldiers
.and Mr. Kinzie were on most friendly terms with the Pottawattamies
and Winnebagos, the principal tribes around them, but they could not
win them from their attachment to the British.
One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing on his violin and
his children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing
into the house, pale with terror, and exclaiming: "The Indians! the
Indians!" "What? Where?" eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. "Up
at Lee's, killing and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who,
when the alarm was given, was attending Mrs. Barnes (just confined)
living not far off. Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river and took
refuge in the fort, to which place Mrs. Barnes and her infant not a day
old were safely conveyed. The rest of the inhabitants took shelter in the
fort. This alarm was caused by a scalping party of Winnebagos, who
hovered about the fort several days, when they disappeared, and for several
weeks the inhabitants were undisturbed.
On the 7th of August, 1812, General Hull, at Detroit, sent orders to
Captain Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and to distribute all the United
States property to the Indians in the neighborhood — a most insane order.
The Pottawattamie chief, who brought the dispatch, had more wisdom
than the commanding general. He advised Captain Heald not to make
the distribution. Said he : " Leave the fort and stores as they are, and
let the Indians make distribution for themselves ; and while they are
engaged in the business, the white people may escape to Fort Wayne."
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 143
Captain Heald held a council with the Indians on the afternoon of
the 12th, in which his officers refused to join, for they had been informed
that treachery was designed — that the Indians intended to murder the
white people in the council, and then destroy those in the fort. Captain
Heald, however, took the precaution to open a port-hole displaying a
cannon pointing directly upon the council, and by that means saved
his life.
Mr. Kinzie, who knew the Indians well, begged Captain Heald not
to confide in their promises, nor distribute the arms and munitions among
them, for it would only put power into their hands to destroy the whites.
Acting upon this advice, Heald resolved to withhold the munitions of
wai- ; and on the night of the 13th, after the distribution of the other
property had been made, the powder, ball and liquors were thrown into
thfe river, the muskets broken up and destroyed.
Black Partridge, a friendly chief, came to Captain Heald, and said :
" Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day : be careful on the
march you are going to take." On that dark night vigilant Indians had
crept near the fort and discovered the destruction of their promised booty
going on within. The next morning the powder was seen floating on the
surface of the river. The savages were exasperated and made loud com-
plaints and threats.
On the following day when preparations were making to leave the
fort, and all the inmates were deeply impressed with a sense of impend-
ing danger, Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, was discovered upon
the Indian trail among the sand-hills on the borders of the lake, not far
distant, with a band of mounted Miamis, of whose tribe he was chief,
having been adopted by the famous Miami warrior. Little Turtle. When
news of Hull's surrender reached Fort Wayne, he had started with this
force to assist Heald in defending Fort Dearborn. He was too late.
Every means for its defense had been destroyed the night before, and
arrangements were made for leaving the fort on the morning of the 15th.
It was a warm bright morning in the middle of August. Indications
were positive that the savages intended to murder the white people ; and
when they moved out of the southern gate of the fort, the march was
like a funeral procession. The band, feeling the solemnity of the occa-
sion, struck up the Dead March in Saul.
Capt. Wells, who had blackened his face with gun-powder in token
of his fate, took the lead with his band of Miamis, followed by Capt.
Heald, with his wife by his side on horseback. Mr. Kinzie hoped by his
personal influence to avert the impending blow, and therefore accompanied
them, leaving his family in a boat in charge of a friendly Indian, to be
taken to his trading station at the site of Niles, Michigan, in the event ot
his death.
144
HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 145
The procession moved slowly along the lake shore till they reached
the sand-hills between the prairie and the beach, when the Pottawattamie
escort, under the leadership of Blackbird, filed to the right, placing those
hills between them and the white people. Wells, with his Miamis, had
kept in the advance. They suddenly came rushing back. Wells exclaim-
ing, " They are about to attack us ; form instantly." These words were
quickly followed by a storm of bullets, which came whistling over the
little hills which the treacherous savages had made the covert for their
murderous attack. The white troops charged upon the Indians, drove
them back to the prairie, and then the battle was waged between fifty-
four soldiers, twelve civilians and three or four women (the cowardly
Miamis having fled at the outset) against five hundred Indian warriors.
The white people, hopeless, resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Ensign Ronan wielded his weapon vigorously, even after falling upon his
knees weak from the loss of blood. Capt. Wells, who was by the side of
his niece, Mrs. Heald, when the conflict began, behaved with the srreatest
coolness and courage. He said to her, " We have not the slightest chance
for life. We must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you."
And then he dashed forward. Seeing a young warrior, painted like a
demon, climb into a wagon in which were twelve children, and tomahawk
them all, he cried out, unmindful of his personal danger, " If that is your
game, butchering women and children, I will kill too." He spurred his
horse towards the Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and
papooses, hotly pursued by swift-footed young warriors, who sent bullets
whistling after him. One of these killed his horse and wounded him
severely in the leg. With a yell the young braves rushed to make him
their prisoner and reserve him for torture. He resolved not to be made
a captive, and by the use of the most provoking epithets tried to induce
them to kill him instantly. He called a fiery young chief a squaw, when
the enraged warrior killed Wells instantly with his tomahawk, jumped
upon his body, cut out his heart, and ate a portion of the warm morsel
with savage delight !
In this fearful combat women bore a conspicuous part. Mrs. Heald
was an excellent equestrian and an expert in the use of the rifle. She
fought the savages bravely, receiving several severe wounds. Though
faint from the loss of blood, she managed to keep her saddle. A savage
raised his tomahawk to kill her, when she looked him full in the face,
and with a sweet smile and in a gentle voice said, in his own language,
" Surely you will not kill a squaw ! " The arm of the savage fell, and
the life of the heroic woman was saved.
Mrs. Helm, the step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie, had an encounter with
a stout Indian, who attempted to tomahawk her. Springing to one side,
she received the glancing blow on her shoulder, and at the same instant
146 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
seized the savage round the neck with her arms and endeavored to get
hold of his scalping knife, which hung in a sheath at his breast. While
she was thus struggling she was dragged from her antagonist by anothei
powerful Indian, who bore her, in spite of her struggles, to the margin
of the lake and plunged her in. To her astonishment she was held by
him so that she would not drown, and she soon perceived that she was
in the hands of the friendly Black Partridge, who had saved her life.
The wife of Sergeant Holt, a large and powerful woman, behaved as
bravely as an Amazon. She rode a fine, high-spirited horse, which the
Indians coveted, and several of them attacked her with the butts of their
guns, for the purpose of dismounting her ; but she used the sword which
she had snatched from her disabled husband so skillfully that she foiled
them ; and, suddenly wheeling her horse, she dashed over the prairie,
followed by the savages shouting, " The brave woman ! the brave woman !
Don't hurt her ! " They finally overtook her, and while she was fighting
them in front, a powerful savage came up behind her, seized her by the
neck and dragged her to the ground. Horse and woman were made
captives. Mrs. Holt was a long time a captive among the Indians, but
was afterwards ransomed.
In this sharp conflict two-thirds of the white people were slain and
wounded, and all their horses, baggage and provision were lost. Only
twenty-eight straggling men now remained to fight five hundred Indians
rendered furious b}^ the sight of blood. They succeeded in breaking
through the ranks of the murderers and gaining a slight eminence on the
prairie near the Oak Woods. The Indians did not pursue, but gathered
on their Hanks, while the chiefs lield a consultation on the sand-hills, and
showed signs of willingness to parley. It would have been madness on
the part of the whites to renew the fight ; and so Capt. Heald weiit for-
ward and met Blackbird on the open prairie, where terms of surrender
were soon agreed upon. It was arranged that the white people should
give up their arms to Blackbird, and that the survivors should become
prisoners of war, to be exchanged for ransoms as soon as practicable.
With this understanding captives and captors started for the Indian
camp near the fort, to which Mrs. Helm had been taken bleeding and
suffering by Black Partridge, and had met her step-father and learned
that her husband was safe.
A new scene of horror was now opened at the Indian camp. The
wounded, not being included in tlie terms of surrender, as it was inter-
preted by the Indians, and the British general. Proctor, having offered a
liberal bounty for American scalps, delivered at Maiden, nearly all the
wounded men were killed and scalped, and the price of the trophies was
afterwards paid by the British government.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
149
SHABBONA.
[This was engraved from a daguerreotype, taken when Shabbona was 83 years old.]
This celebrated Indian chief, whose portrait appears in this work, deserves
more than a passing notice. Although Shabbona was not so conspicuous as
Tecumseh or Black Hawk, yet in point of merit he was superior to either
oi them.
Shabbona was born at an Indian village on the Kankakee River, now in
Will County, about the year 1775. While young he was made chief of the
band, and went to Shabbona Grove, now DeKalb County, where they were
found in the early settlement of the county.
In the war of 1812, Shabbona, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh, was
150 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF H^LTNOIS.
aid to that great chief, and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of
the Thames. At the time of the Winnebago war, in 1827, he visited almost
every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive arguments
prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens
of Chicago, Shabbona, accompanied l)y Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited
Big Foot's village at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears
were entertained that they were about to raise the tomahawk against the
whites. He]'e Shabbona was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life
threatened, but on the following day was set at libert}'. From that time
the Indians (thi'ough reproach) styled him " the white man's friend,"
and man}' times his life was endangered.
Before the Black Hawk war, Shabbona met in council at two differ-
ent times, and by his influence prevented his people from taking j^art with
the Sacs and Foxes. After the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine,
no chief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shabbona.
Black Hawk, aware of this influence, visited him at two different times, in
order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk
was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks, he said, had it not been for Shabbona
the wliole Pottawatomie nation would have joined his standard, and he
could have continued the war for years.
To Shabbona many of the early settlers of Illinois owe the pres-
ervation of their lives, for it is a well-known fact, had he not notified the
people of their danger, a large portion of them would have fallen victims
to the tomahawk of savages. By saving the lives of whites he endangered
■ his own, for the Sacs and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two
attempts to execute their threats. They killed Pypeogee, his son, and
Pyps, his nephew, and hunted him down as though he was a wild beast.
Shabbona had a reservation of two sections of land at his Grove, but
by leaving it and going west for a short time, the Government declared
the reservation focfeited, and sold it the same as other vacant land. On
Shabbona's return, and finding his possessions gone, he was very sad and
broken down inspirit, and left the Grove for ever. The citizens of Ottawa
raised money and bought him a tract of land on the Illinois River, above
Seneca, in Grundy County, on wliich they built a house, and supplied
him Avith means to live on. He lived here until his death, which occurred
on the 17th of July, 1859, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and was
buried with great pomp in the cemetery at Morris. His squaw, Pokanoka,
was drowned in Mazen Creek, Grundy County, on the 30th of November,
1864, and was buried by his side.
In 1861 subscriptions were taken up in many of the river towns, to
erect a monument over the remains of Shabbona, but the war breaking
out, the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the
resting-place of this friend of the white man.
Abstract of Illinois State Laws.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES.
No promissory note^ checTc, drafts hill of exchange, order, or note, negO"
tiable instrument payable at sight, or on demand, or on presentment, shall
be entitled to days of grace. All other hills of exchange, drafts or notes are
entitled to three days of grace. All the above mentioned paper falling
due on Sunday, New Years'' Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any
day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States or
the Gfovernor of the State as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed
as due on the day previous, and should two or more of these days come
together, then such instrument shall be treated as due on the day previous
to the first of said days. JVo defense can be made against a negotiahle
instrument (^assigned before due') in the hands of the assignee without
notice, except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indorser,
due diligence must be iised hy suit, in collecting of the maker, unless suit
would have been unavailing. Notes payable to person named or to order,
in order to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. Notes
payable to bearer may be transferred hy delivery, and when so payable
every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment unless otherwise
expressed.
In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month
shall be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and for less
than a month, a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes
only bear interest when so expressed, but after due they draw the legal
interest, even if not stated.
INTEREST.
The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree in writ-
ing on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater
than ten per cent, is contracted for, it works a forfeiture of the whole of
said interest, and only the principal can be recovered.
DESCENT.
When no will is made, the property of a deceased person is distrib-
uted as follows :
152 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
First. To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts ;
the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of
their deceased parents in equal parts among them.
Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and
no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents, brothers and sisters
of the deceased, and their descendants, in equal parts, the surviving
parent, if either be dead, taking a double portion ; and if there is no
parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their
descendants.
Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband^ and no child or
children^ or descendants of the same, then one-half of the real estate and
the whole of the personal estate shall descend to such widow or surviving
husband, absolutely, and the other half of the real estate shall descend as
in other cases where there is no child or children or descendants of the
same.
Fourth. When there is a widow or surviving husband and also a child
or children., or descendants of the latter, then one third of all the personal
estate to the ividow or surviving husbarid absolutely.
Fifth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of
either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, then in equal parts
to the next of kin to the intestate in equal degree. Collaterals shall not
be represented except with the descendants of brothers and sisters of the
intestate, and there shall be no distinction between kindred of the whole
and the half blood.
Sixth. If any intestate leaves a ividoiv or surviving husband and no
kindred, then to such widoio or surviving husband ; and if there is no such
widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to and vest in the county
where the same, or the greater portion thereof, is situated.
WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS.
No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will good at
law. Every male person of the age of tiventy-one years, and qyqvj female
of the age of eighteen years, of sound mind and memory, can make a valid
will ; it must be in ivriting, signed by the testator or by some one in his
or her presence and by his or her direction, and attested by two or more
credible witnesses. Oare should be taken that the tvitnesses are not inter-
ested in the will. Persons knoiving themselves to have been named in the
will or appointed executor, must within thirty days of the death of
deceased cause the will to be proved and recorded in the proper county,
or present it, and refuse to accept; on failure to do so are liable to forfeit
the sura of twenty dollars per month. Inventory to be made by executor
or administrator within three months from date of letters testamentary or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 153
of administration. Executors' and administrators' compensation not to
exceed six per cent, on amount of personal estate, and three per cent,
on money realized from real estate, with such additional allowance a?
shall be reasonable for extra services. Appraisers' compensation $2 pei"
day.
Notice requiring all claims to be presented against the estate shall b^
given by the executor or administrator within six months of being quali-
fied. Any person having a claim a7id 7iot presenting it at the time fixed
by said notice is required to have summons issued notifying the executor
or administrator of his having filed his claim in court ; in such cases the
costs have to be paid by the claimant. Claims should be filed within two
years from the time administration is granted on an estate, as after that
time they are forever barred^ unless other estate is found that was not in-
ventoried. Married women^ infants^ persons insane, imprisoned or without
the United States, in the employment of the United States, or of this
State, have two years after their disabilities are removed to file claims.
Claims are classified and ^a«t? out of the estate in the following manner:
First. Funeral expenses.
Second. The widow's aivard, if there is a widow ; or children if there
are children, and no widow.
Third. Expenses attending the last illness, not including physician's
bill.
Fourth. Debts due the common school or township fund .
Fifth. All expenses of proving the will and taking out letters testa-
mentary or administration, and settlement of the estate, and the physi-
cian s bill in the last illness of deceased.
Sixth. Where the deceased has received money in trust for any pur-
pose, his executor or administrator shall pay out of his estate the amount
received and not accounted for.
Seventh. All other debts and demands of whatsoever kind, without
regard to quality or dignity, which shall be exhibited to the court within
two years from the granting of letters.
Aivard to Widow and Children, exclusive of debts and legacies or be-
quests, except funeral expenses :
First. The family pictures and wearing apparel, jewels and ornaments
of herself and minor children.
Second. School books and the family library of the value of $100.
Third. One sewing machine.
Fourth. Necessary beds, bedsteads and bedding for herself and family.
Fifth. The stoves and pipe used in the family, with the necessary
cooking utensils, or in case they have none, $50 in money.
Sixth. Household and kitchen furniture to the value of $100.
Seventh. One milch cow and calf for every four members of her family.
154 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Eighth. Two sheep for each member of her family, and the fleeces
taken from the same, and one horse, saddle and bridle.
Ninth. Provisions for herself and family for one year.
Tenth. Food for the stock above specified fo-r six months.
Eleventh. Fuel for herself and family for three months.
Twelfth. One hundred dollars worth of other property suited to her
condition in life, to be selected by the widoiv.
The tvidoiv if she elects may have in lieu of the said award, the same
personal property or money in place thereof as is or may be exempt from,
execution or attachment against the head of a family.
TAXES.
The owners of real and personal property, on the first day of May in
each year, are liable for the taxes thereon.
Assessments should be completed before the fourth Monday in June.,
at which time the town board of review meets to examine assessments,
hear objections., and make such changes as ought to be made. The county
board have also power to correct or change assessmerits.
The tax books are placed in the hands of the town collector on or
before the tenth day of December, who retains them until the tenth day
of March following, when he is required to return them to the county
treasurer, who then collects all delinquent taxes.
No costs accrue on real estate taxes till advertised, which takes place
the first day of April, when three weeks' notice is required before judg-
ment. Cost of advertising, twenty cents each tract of land, and ten cents
each lot.
Judgment is usually obtained at May term of County Court. Costs
six cents each tract of land, and five cents each lot. Sale takes place in
June. Costs in addition to those before mentioned, twenty-eight cents
each tract of land, and twenty-seven cents each town lot.
Meal estate sold for taxes may be redeemed any time before the expi-
ration of two years from the date of sale, by payment to the County Clerk
of the amount for which it was sold and twenty-five per cent, thereon if
redeemed within six months, fifty per cent, if between six and twelve
months, if between twelve and eighteen months seventy-five per cent.,
and if between eighteen months and two years one hundred per cent.,,
and in addition, all subsequent taxes paid by the purchaser, with ten per
cent, interest thereon, also one dollar each tract if notice is given by the
purchaser of the sale, and a fee of twenty-five cents to the clerk for his
certificate.
JURISDICTION OF COURTS.
Justices have jurisdiction in all civil cases on contracts for the recovery
of moneys for damages for injury to real property, or taking, detaining, or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 155
injuring personal property ; for rent; for all cases to recover damages done
real or personal property* by railroad companies, in actions of replevin, and
in actions for damages for fraud in the sale, pturchase, or exchange of per-
gonal property, when the amount claimed as due is not over 8200. They
have also jurisdiction in all cases for violation of the ordinances of cities,
toivns or villages. A justice of the peace may orally order an officer or a
private person to arrest any one committing or attempting to commit a
criminal offense. He also upon complaint can issue his warrant for the
■arrest of any person accused of having committed a crime, and have him
brought before him for examination.
COUNTY COURTS
Have jurisdiction in all matters of probate (except in counties having a
population of one hundred thousand or over), settlement of estates of
deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and settle-
ment of their accounts ; all matters relating to apprentices ; proceedings
for the collection of taxes and assessments, and in proceedings of executors^
■administrators, guardians and conservators for the sale of real estate. In
law cases they have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts in all
cases where justices of the peace now have, or hereafter may have,
jurisdiction when the amount claimed shall not exceed 81,000, and in all
criminal offenses where the punishment is not imprisonynent in the peni-
tentiary, or death, and in all cases of appeals from justices of the peace
and police magistrates; excepting when the county judge is sitting as a
justice of the peace. Circuit Courts have unlimited jurisdiction.
LIMITATION OF ACTION.
Accounts jive years. Notes and written contracts ten years. Judg-
ments twenty years. Partial payments or new promise in writing, within
or after said period, wiMrevive the debt. Absence from the State deducted,
and when the cause of action is barred by the law of another State, it has
the same effect here. Slander and libel, one year. Personal injm-ies, two
years. To recover land or make entry thereon, tiventy years. Action to
foreclose mortgage or trust deed, or make a sale, within ten years.
All persons in possession of land, and paying taxes for seven consecu-
tive years, with color of title, and all persons paying taxes for seven con-
secutive years, with color of title, on vacant land, shall be held to be the
legal owners to the extent of their paper title.
MARRIED WOMEN
JMfay sue and be sued. Husband and wife not liable for each other^s debts^
either before or after marriage, but both are liable for expenses and edu-
cation of the family.
4
156 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
She may contract the same as if unmarried^ except that in a partner-
ship business she can not, without consent of her husband, unless he has
abandoned or deserted her, or is idiotic or insane, or confined in peniten-
tiary ; she is entitled and can recover her own earnings, but neither hus-
band nor wife is entitled to compensation for any services rendertjd for the
other. At the death of the husband, in addition to widow's award, a
married woman has a dower interest (one-third) in all real estate owned
by her husband after their marriage, and which has not been released by
her, and the husband has the same interest in the real estate of the wife
at her death.
EXEMPTIONS FROM FORCED SALE.
Home tvorth $1,000, and the following Personal Property : Lot of ground!
and buildings thereon, occupied as a residence by the debtor, being a house-
holder and having a family, to the value of $1,000. Exemption continues
after the death of the householder for the benefit of widow and family, some
one of them occupying the homestead until youngest child shall become
twenty-one years of age, and until death of widow. There is no exemption
from sale for taxes, assessments, debt or liability incurred for the purchase-
or improvement of said homestead. No release or waiver of exemption is-
valid, unless in writing, and subscribed by such householder and v/ife (if
he have one), and acknowledged as conveyances of real estate are required
to be acknowledged. The following articles of personal property owned
by the debtor, are exempt from execution, writ of attachment, and distress
for rent : The necessary ivearing apjyarel. Bibles, school books and family
pictures of every person ; and, 2d, one hundred dollars worth of other
property to be selected by the debtor, and, in addition, when the debtor
is the head of a family and resides with the same, three hundred dollars-
worth of other property to be selected by the debtor ; provided that such
selection and exemption shall not be made by the debtor or allowed to-
him or her from any money, salary or wages due him or her from any
person or persons or corporations whatever.
When the head of a family shall die, desert or not reside with the
same, the family shall be entitled to and receive all the benefit and priv-
ileges which are by this act conferred upon the head of a family residing
with the same. No personal property is exempt from execution when
judgment is obtained for the wages of laborers or servants. Wages of a
laborer who is the head of a family can not be garnisheed, except the sum.
due him be in excess of $25.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 157
DEEDS AND MORTGAGES.
To he valid there must he a valid consideration. Special care should
be taken to have them signed, sealed, delivered, and properly acknowl-
edged, with the proper seal attached. Wit^iesses are not required. The
acknowledgement must be made in this state, before Master in Chancery^
Notary Puhlic, United States Commissioner .^ Circuit or County Clerk, Justice
of Peace, or any Court of Record haviiig a seal, or any Judge, Justice, or
Clerk of any such Court. When taken before a Notary Public, or United
States Commissio7ier, the same shall be attested by his official seal, when
taken before a Court or the Clerk thereof, the same shall be attested by
the seal of such Court, and when taken before a Justice of the Peace resid-
ing out of the county where the real estate to be conveyed lies, there shall
be added a certificate of the County Clerk under his seal of office, that he
was a Justice of the Peace in the county at the time of taking the same.
A deed is good without such certificace attached, but can not be used in
evidence unless such a certificate is produced or other competent evidence
introduced. Acknowledgements made out of the state must either be
executed according to the laws of this state, or there should be attached
a certificate that it is in conformity with the laws of the state or country
where executed. Where this is not done the same may be proved by any
other legal way. Acknowledgments where the Homestead rights are to
be waived must state as follows : " Including the release and waiver of
the right of homestead."
Notaries Puhlio can take acknowledgements any where in the state.
Sheriffs, if authorized by the mortgagor of real or personal property
in his mortgage, may sell the property mortgaged.
In the case of the death of grantor or holder of the equity of redemp-
tion of real estate mortgaged, or conveyed by deed of trust where equity
of redemption is waived, and it contains power of sale, must be foreclosed
in the same manner as a common mortgage in court.
ESTRAYS.
Horses, mules, asses, neat cattle, swine, sheep, or goats found straying
at any time during the year, in counties where such animals are not allowed
to run at large, or between the last day of October and the 15th day of
April in other counties, the oivner thereof being unknown, may he taken up
as estrays.
No person not a householder in the county where estray is found can
lawfully take up an estray, and then only upon or about his farm or place
of residence. Estrays should not he used before advertised, except animals
giving milk, which may be milked for their benefit.
158 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Notices must be posted up within five (5) days in tliree (3) of the
most public places in the town or precinct in which estray was found, giv-
ing the residence of the taker up, and a particular description of the
estray, its age, color, and marks natural and artificial, and stating before
what justice of the peace in such town or precinct, and at what time, not
less than ten (10) nor more than fifteen (15) days from the time of post-
ing such notices, he will apply to have the estray appraised.
A copy of such notice should be filed by the taker up with the totvn
clerk, whose duty it is to enter the same at large, in a hook kept by him
for that purpose.
If the owner of estray shall not have appeared and proved ownership,
and taken the same away, first paying the taker up his reasonable charges
for taking up, keeping, and advertising the same, the taker up shall appear
before the justice of the peace mentioned in above mentioned notice, and
make an affidavit as required by law.
As the affidavit has to he made hefore the justice, and all other steps as
to appraisement, etc., are before him, who is familiar therewith, they are
therefore omitted here.
Any person taking up an estray at any other place than about or
upon his farm or residence, or without complying with the law, shall forfeit
and pay a fine of ten dollars with costs.
Ordinary diligeiice is required in taking care of estrays, but in case
they die or get away the taker is not liable for the same.
GAME.
It is unlawful for any person to kill, or attempt to kill or destroy, in
any manner, any prairie hen or chicken or woodcock between the 15th day
of January and the 1st day of September ; or any deer, fawn, wild-turkey,
partridge or pheasant between the 1st day of February and the 1st day
of October ; or any quail between the 1st day of February and 1st da}^ of
November ; or any wild goose, duck, snijDe, brant or other water fowl
between the 1st day of May and 15tli day of August in each year.
Penalty : Fine not less than $5 nor more than $25, for each bird or
animal, and costs of suit, and stand committed to county jail until fine is
paid, but not exceeding ten days. It is unlawful to hunt with gun, dog
or net within the inclosed grounds or lands of another tvithout permission.
Penalty: Fine not less than $3 nor more than $100, to be paid into
school fund.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or
sold or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to
the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to-wit :
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
159
Founds.
Pounds.
Stone Coal,
- 80
Buckwheat, -
- 52
Unslackecl Lime,
- 80
Coarse Salt,
- 50
Corn in the ear,
- 70
Barley, - - -
- 48
Wheat,
- 60
Corn Meal,
- 48
Irish Potatoes,
- 60
Castor Beans,
- 46
White Beans,
- 60
Timothy Seed, -
- 45
Clover Seed, -
- 60
Hemp Seed, -
- 44
Onions, _ = -
- 5T
Malt, - - - -
- 38
Shelled Corn,
- 56
Dried Peaches,
- 33
Rye, - - - -
- 56
Oats, - - - -
- 32
Flax Seed,
- 56
Dried Apples,
- 24
Sweet Potatoes, -
- 55
Bran, - - - -
- 20
Turnips,
- 55
Blue Grass Seed, -
- 14
Fine Salt, - - -
- 55
Hair (plastering).
8
Penalty for giving less than the above standard is double the amount
of property wrongfully not given, and ten dollars addition thereto. .
MILLERS.
The owner or occuiDant of every public grist mill in this state shall
grind all grain brought to his mill in its turn. The toll for both steam
and ivater mills, is, for grinding and bolting wheats rye^ or other grain, one
eighth part; for grinding Indian corn, oats, barley and huckivheat not
required to be bolted, one seventh part; for grinding malt, and chojyping all
kinds of grain, one eighth part. It is the duty of every miller when his
mill is in repair, to aid and assist in loading and unloading all grain brought
to him to be ground, and he is also required to keep an accurate half
bushel measure, and an accurate set of toll dishes or scales for weighing
the grain. The penalty for neglect or refusal to comply with the law is
85, to the use of any person to sue for the same, to be recovered before
any justice of the peace of the county where penalty is incurred. Millers
are accountable for the safe keeping of all grain left in his mill for the
purpose of being ground, with bags or casks containing same (except it
results from unavoidable accidents), provided that such bags or casks are
distinctly marked with the initial letters of the owner's name.
MARKS AND BRANDS.
Owners of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep or goats may have one earmark
and one brand, but which shall be different from his neighbor's, and may
be recorded by the county clerk of the county in which such property is
kept. The fee for such record is fifteen cents. The record of such shall
be open to examination free of charge. In cases of disputes as to marks
or brands-, such record is vrima facie evidence. Owners of cattle, horses,
hogs, sheep or goats that may have been branded by the former oivner,
160 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
may be re-branded in presence of one or more of his neighbors, who shall
certify to the facts of the marking or branding being done, when done,
and in what brand or mark they were re-branded or re-marked, which
certificate may also be recorded as before stated.
ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.
Children may be adopted by any resident of this state, by filing a
petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which he resides,
asking leave to do so, and if desired may ask that the name of the child
be changed. Such petition, if made by a person having a husband or
wife, will not be granted, unless the husband or wife joins therein, as the
adoption must be Iw them jointly.
The jyetition shall state name, sex, and age of the child, and the new
name, if it is desired to change the name.' Also the name and residence
of the parents of the child, if known, and of the guardian, if any, and
whether the parents or guardians consent to the adoption.
The court must find, before granting decree, that the parents of the
child, or the survivors of them, have deserted his or her family or such
child for one year next preceding the application, or if neither are living,
the guardian ; if no guardian, the next of kin in this state capable of giving
consent, has had notice of the presentation of the petition and consents
to such adoption. If the (f!iild is of the age oi fourteen years or upwards,
the adoption can not be made without its consent.
SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS.
There is in every county elected a surveyor known as county sur-
veyor, who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is
responsible. It is the duty of the county surveyor, either by himself or
his deputy, to make all surveys that he may be called upon to make within
his county as soon as may be after application is made. The necessary
chainmen and other assistance must be employed bythe person requiring
the same to be done, and to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed ; but
the chainmen must be disinterested persons and approved by the surveyor
and sworn by him to measure justly and impartially.
The County Board in each county is required by law to provide a copy
of the United States field notes and plats of their surveys of the lands
in the county to be kept in the recorder's office subject to examination
by the public, and the county surveyor is required to make his surveys
in conformity to said notes, plats and the laws of the United States gov-
erning such matters. The surveyor is also required to keep a record
of all surveys made by him, which shall be subject to inspection by any
one interested, and shall be delivered up to his successor in office. A.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 101
certified copy of the said surveyor's record shall be prima facie evidence
of its contents.
The fees of county surveyors are six dollars per day. The county
surveyor is also ex officio inspector of mines, and as such, assisted by some
practical miner selected by him, shall once each year inspect all the
mines in the county, for which they shall each receive such compensa-
tion as may be fixed by the County Board, not exceeding $5 a day, to
be paid out of the county treasury.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Where practicable from the nature of the ground, persons traveling
in any kind of vehicle, must turn to the right of the center of the road, so
as to permit each carriage to pass without interfering with each other.
The penalty for a violation of this provision is $5 for every offense, to>
be recovered by the party injured ; but to recover, there must have
occurred some injury to person or property resulting from the violation..
The owners of any carriage traveling upon any road in this State for the
conveyance of passengers who shall employ or continue in his employment
as driver any person who is addicted to drunkenness, or the excessive use of
spiritous liquors, after he has had notice of the same, shall forfeit, at the-
rate of $5 per day, and if any driver while actually engaged in driving
any such carriage, shall be guilty of intoxicqtioyi to such a degree as to
endanger the safety of passengers, it shall be the duty of the owner, on
receiving 'written notice of the fact, signed by one of the passengers, and
certified by him on oath, forthwith to discharge such driver. If such owner
shall have such driv6r in his employ ivithin three months after such notice,
he is liable for $5 per day for the time he shall keep said driver in his
employment after receiving such notice.
Persons driving any carriage on any public highway are prohibited
from running their horses upon any occasion under a penalty of a fine not
exceeding $10, or imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, at the discre-
tion of the court. Horses attached to any carriage used to convey passen-
gers for hire must be properly hitched or the lines placed in the hands of
some other person before the driver leaves them for any purpose. For
violation of this provision each driver shall forfeit twenty dollars, to be
recovered by action, to be commenced within six months. It is under-
stood by the ter')n carriage herein to mean any carriage or vehicle used
for the transportation of passengers or goods or either of them.
The commissioners of highways in the different tov/ns have the care-
and superintendence of highways and bridges therein. They have all
the powers necessary to lay out, vacate, regulate and repair all roads*'
build and repair bridges. In addition to the above, it is their duty to
tjrect and keep in rei:)air at the forks or crossing-place of the most
162 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
important roads post and guide boards with plain inscriptions, giving
•directions and distances to the most noted places to which such road may
lead ; also to make provisions to prevent thistles, burdock, and cockle
burrs, mustard, yellow dock, Indian mallow and jimson weed from
seeding, and to extirpate the same as far as practicable, and to prevent
all rank growth of vegetation on the public highways so far as the same
may obstruct public travel, and it is in their discretion to erect watering
places for public use for watering teams at such points as may be deemed
advisable.
The Commissioners, on or before the 1st day of May of each year,
shall make out and deliver to their treasurer a list of all able-bodied men
in their town, exceptirig paupers, idiots, lunatics, and such others as are
exempt by law, and assess against each the sum of two dollars as a poll
tax for highway purposes. Within thirty days after such list is delivered
they shall cause a written or printed notice to be given to each person so
assessed, notifying him of the time when and place where such tax must
be paid, or its equivalent in labor performed ; they may contract with
persons owing such poll tax to perform a certain amount of labor on any
road or bridge in payment of the same, and if such tax is not paid nor
labor performed by the first Monday of July of such year, or within ten
days after notice is given after that time, they shall bring suit therefor
against such person before a justice of the peace, who shall hear and
determine the case according to law for the offense complained of, and
shall forthwith issue an execution, directed to any constable of the county
where the delinquent shall reside, who shall forthwith collect the moneys
therein mentioned.
The Commissioners of Highways of each town shall annually ascer-
tain, as near as practicable, how much money must be raised by tax on real
and personal property for the making and repairing of roads, only, to any
amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding forty cents on each one
hundred dollars' worth, as valued on the assessment roll of the previous
year. The tax so levied on property lying witliin an incorporated village,
town or city, shall be paid over to the corporate authorities of such town,
village or city. Commissioners shall receive $1.50 for each day neces-
sarily employed in the discharge of their duty.
Overseers. At the first meeting the Commissioners shall choose one
of their number to act General Overseer of Highways in their township,
whose duty it shall be to take charge of and safely keep all tools, imple-
ments and machinery belonging to said town, and shall, by the direction
of the Board, have general supervision of all roads and bridges in their
town.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 16i^
As all township and county officers are familiar with their duties, it
is only intended to give the points of the law that the public should be
familiar with. The manner of laying out, altering or vacating roads, etc.,
will not be here stated, as it would require more space than is contem-
plated in a work of this kind. It is sufficient to state that, the first step
is by petition, addressed to the Commissioners, setting out what is prayed
for, giving the names of the owners of lands if known, if not known so
state, over which the road is to pass, giving the general course, its place
of beginning, and where it terminates. It requires not less than twelve
freeholders residing within three miles of the road who shall sign the
petition. Public roads must not be less than fifty feet wide, nor more
than sixty feet wide. Roads not exceeding two miles in length, if peti-
tioned for, may be laid out, not less than forty feet. Private roads
for private and public use, may be laid out af the width of three rods, on
petition of the person directly interested ; the damage occasioned thereby
shall be paid by the premises benefited thereby, and before the road is
opened. If not opened in two years, the order shall be considered
rescinded. Commissioners in their discretion may permit persons who-
live on or have private roads, to work out their road tax thereon. Public
roads must be opened in five days from date of filing order of location^
or be deemed vacated.
DRAINAGE.
Whenever one or more owners or occupants of land desire to construct
I drain or ditch across the land of others for agricultural, sanitary or
mining purposes, the proceedings are as follows :
File a petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which
the proposed ditch or drain is to be constructed, setting forth the neces-
sity for the same, with a description of its proposed starting point, route
and terminus, and if it shall be necessary for the drainage of the land or
coal mines or for sanitary purposes, that a drain, ditch, levee or similar
work be constructed, a description of the same. It shall also set forth
the names of all persons owning the land over which such drain or ditch
shall be constructed, or if unknown stating that fact.
No private property shall be taken or damaged for the purpose of
constructing a ditch, drain or levee, without compensation, if claimed by
the owner, the same to be ascertained by a jury; but if the construction
of such ditch, drain or levee shall be a benefit to. the owner, the same
shall be a set off against such compensation.
If the proceedings seek to affect the property of a minor, lunatic or
married woman, the guardian, conservator or husband of the same shall
be made party defendant. The petition may be amended and parties
made defendants at any time when it is necessary to a fair trial.
\Q^ ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
When the petition is presented to the judge, he shall note therein
when he will hear the same, and order the issuance of summonses and
the publication of notice to each non-resident or unknown defendant.
The petition may be heard by such judge in vacation as well as in
term time. Upon the trial, the jury shall ascertain the just compensation
to each owner of the property sought to be damaged by the construction
of such ditch, drain or levee, and truly report the same.
As it is only contemplated in a work of this kind to give an abstract
of the laws, and as the parties who have in charge the execution of the
further proceedings are likely to be familiar with the requirements of the
statute, the necessary details are not here inserted.
WOLF SCALPS.
The County Board of any county in this State may hereafter alluw
such bounty on tvolf scalps as the board may deem reasonable.
Any person claiming a bounty shall produce the scalp or scalps with
the ears thereon, within sixty days after the wolf or wolves shall have
been caught, to the Clerk of the County Board, who shall administer to
s'did person the following oath or affirmation, to-wit: "You do solemnly
swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that the scalp or scalps here pro-
duced by you was taken from a wolf or wolves killed and first captured
by yourself within the limits of this county, and within the sixty days
last past."
CONVEYANCES.
When the reversion expectant on a lease of any tenements or here-
ditaments of any tenure shall be surrendered or merged, the estate which
shall for the time being confer as against the tenant under the same lease
the next vested right to the same tenements or hereditaments, shall, to
the extent and for the purpose of preserving such incidents to and obli-
gations on the same reversion, as but for the surrender or merger thereof,
would have subsisted, be deemed the reversion expectant on the same
lease.
PAUPERS.
Every poor person who shall be unable to earn a livelihood in conse-
quence of any bodily infirmity^ idiocy, lunacy or unavoidable cause, shall
be supported by the father, grand-father, mother, grand-mother, children,
grand-children, brothers or sisters of such poor person, if they or either
of them be of sufficient ability ; but if any of such dependent class shall
have become so from intemperance or other bad conduct, they shall not be
entitled to support from any relation except parent or child.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 167
The ciiildren shall first be called on to support their parents, if they
are able ; but if not, the parents of such poor person shall then be called
on, if of sufficient ability ; and if there be no parents or children able,
then the brothers and sisters of such dependent person shall be called
upon ; and if there be no brothers or sisters of sufficient ability, the
grand-children of such person shall next be called on ; and if they are
not able, then the grand-parents. Married females, while their husbands
live, shall not be liable to contribute for the support of their poor relations
except out of their separate property. It is the duty of the state's
(county) attorney, to make complaint to the County Court of his county
against all the relatives of such paupers in this state liable to his support
and prosecute the same. In case the state's attorney neglects, or refuses, to
complain in such cases, then it is the duty of the overseer of the poor to
do so. The person called upon to contribute shall have at least ten days'
notice of such application by summons. The court has the power to
determine the kind of support, depending upon the circumstances of the
parties, and may also order two or more of the different degrees to main-
tain such poor person, and prescribe the proportion of each, according to
their ability. The court may specify the time for which the relative shall
contribute — in fact has control over the entire subject matter, with power
to enforce its orders. Every county (except those in which the poor are
supported by the towns, and in such cases the towns are liable) is required
to relieve and support all poor and indigent persons laivfuUy resident
therein. Residence means the actual residence of the party, or the place
where he was employed ; or in case he was in no employment, then it
shall be the place where he made his home. When any person becomes
chargeable as a pauper in any county or town who did not reside at the
commencement of six months immediately preceding his becoming so,
but did at that time reside in some other county or town in this state,
then the county or town, as the case may be, becomes liable for the expense
of taking care of such person until removed, and it is the duty of the
overseer to notify the proper authorities of the fact. If any person shall
bring and leave any pauper in any county in this state where such pauper
had no legal residence, knowing him to be such, he is liable to a fine of
$100. In counties under township organization, the supervisors in each
town are ex-officio overseers of the poor. The overseers of the poor act
under the directions of the County Board in taking care of the poor and
granting of temporary relief; also, providing for non-resident persons not
paupers who may be taken sick and not able to pay their way, and in case
of death cause such person to be decently buried.
The residence of the inmates of poorhouses and other charitable
institutions for voting purposes is their former place of abode.
168 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
FENCES.
In counties under township organization, the town assessor and com-
missioner of highways are the fence-viewers in their respective towns.
In other counties the County Board appoints three in each precinct annu-
ally. A laiofid fence is four and one -half feet high, in good repair, con-
sisting of rails, timber, boards, stone, hedges, or whatever the fence-
viewers of the town or precinct where the same shall lie, shall consider
equivalent thereto, but in counties under township organization the annual
town meeting may establish any other kind of fence as such, or the County
Board in other counties may do the same. Division fences shall be made
and maintained in just proportion by the adjoining owners, except when
the owner shall choose to let his land lie open, but after a division fence is
built by agreement or otherwise, neither party can remove his part of such
fence so long as he may crop or use such land for farm purposes, or without
giving the other party one year's notice in writing of his intention to remove
his portion. When any person shall enclose his land upon the enclosure
of another, he shall refund the owner of the adjoining lands a just pro-
portion of the value at tljat time of such fence. The value of fence and
the just proportion to be paid or built and maintained by each is to be
ascertained by two fence-viewers in the town or precinct. Such fence-
viewers have power to settle all disputes between different owners as to
fences built or to be built, as well as to repairs to be made. Each party
chooses one of the viewers, but if the other party neglects, after eight
days' notice in writing, to make his choice, then the other party may
select both. It is sufficient to notify the tenant or party in possession,
when the owner is not a resident of the town or precinct. The two
fence-viewers chosen, after viewing the premises, shall hear the state-
ments of the parties , in case they can't agree, they shall select another
fence-viewer to act with them, and the decision of any two of them is
final. The decision must be reduced to writing, and should plainly set
out description of fence and all matters settled by them, and must be
filed in the office of the town clerk in counties under township organiza-
tion, and in other counties with the county clerk.
Where any person is liable to contribute to the erection or the
repairing of a division fence, neglects or refuses so to do, the party
injured, after giving sixty days notice in writing when a fence is to be
erected, or ten days when it is only repairs, may proceed to have the
work done at the expense of the party whose duty it is to do it, to be
recovered from him with costs of suit, and the party so neglecting shall
also be liable to the party injured for all damages accruing from such
neglect or refusal, to be determined by any two fence-viewers selected
as before provided, the appraisement to be reduced to writing and signed.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 169
Where a person shall conclude to remove his part of a division fence,
and let his land lie open, and having given the year's notice required, the
adjoining owner may cause the value of said fence to be ascertained by
fence-viewers as before provided, and on payment or tender of the
amount of such valuation to the owner, it shall prevent the removal. A
party removing a division fence without notice is liable for the damages
accruing thereby.
"Where a fence has been built on the land of another through mis-
take, the owner may enter upon such premises and remove his fence and
material within oix months after the division line has been ascertained.
Where the material to build such a fence has been taken from the land
on which it was built, then before it can be removed, the person claiming
must first pay for such material to the owner of the land from which it
was taken, nor shall fc;uch a fence be removed at a time when the removal
will throw open or expose the crops of the other party ; a reasonable
time must be given beyond the .six months to remove crops.
The compensation of fence-viewers is one dollar and fifty cents a
day each, to be paid in the first instance by the party calling them, but
in the end all expenses, including amount charged by the fence-viewers,
must be paid equally b}'- the parties, except in cases where a party neglects
or refuses to make or maiiktain a just; proportion of a division fence, when
the party in default shall pay them.
DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS.
Where stock of any kind breaks into any person's enclosure, the
fence being good and sufficient, the owner is liable for the damage done ;
but where the damage is done by stock running at large, contrary to law,
the owner is liable where tht^re is not such a fence. Where stock is
found trespassing on the enclosure of another as aforesaid, the owner oi
occupier of the premises may take possession of such stock and keep the
same until damages, with reasonable charges for keeping and feeding and
all costs of suit, are paid. Any person taking or rescuing such stock so
held without his consent, shall be liable to a fine of not less than three
nor more than five dollars for each animal rescued, to be recovered by
suit before a justice of the peace for the use of the school fund. Within
twenty-four hours after taking such animal into his possession, the per-
son taking it up must give notice of the fact to the owner, if known, or
if unknown, notices must be posted in some public place near the premises.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
The owner of lands, or his legal representatives, can sue for and
recover rent therefor, in any of the following cases :
First. When rent is due and in arrears on a lease for life or lives.
170 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Second. When lands are held and occupied by any person without
any special agreement for rent.
Third. When j)ossession is obtained under an agreement, written
or verbal, for the purchase of the premises and before deed given, the
right to possession is terminated by forfeiture on con-compliance with the
agreement, and possession is wrongfully refused or neglected to be giver,
upon demand made in writing by the party entitled thereto. Provided
that all payments made by the vendee or his representatives or assigns,
may be set off against the rent.
Fourth. When land has been sold upon a judgment or a decree of
court, when the party to such judgment or decree, or person liolding under
him, wrongfully refuses, or neglects, to surrender possession of the same,
after demand in writing by the person entitled to the possession.
Fifth., When the lands have been sold upon a mortgage or trust
deed, and the mortgagor or grantor or person holding under him, wrong-
fully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand
in writing by the person entitled to the possession.
If any tenant, or any person who shall come into possession from or
undeV or by collusion with such tenant, shall willfully hold over any lands,
etc., after the expiration the term of their lease, and after demand made
in writing for the possession thereof, is liable to pay double rent. A
tenancy from 3'ear to year requires sixty days notice in writing, to termi-
nate the same at the end of the year ; such notice can be given at any
time within four months preceding the last sixty days of the year.
A tenancy by the month, or less than a year, where the tenant holds
over without any special agreement, the landlord may terminate the
tenancy, by thirty days notice in writing.
When rent is due, the landlord may serve a notice upon the tenant,
stating that unless the rent is paid within not less than five days, his lease
will be terminated ; if the rent is not paid, the landlord may consider the
lease ended. When default is made in any of the terms of a lease, it
shall not be necessary to give more than ten days notice to quit or of the
termination of such tenancy ; and the same may be terminated on giving
such notice to quit, at any time after such default in any of the terms of
such lease ; which notice may be substantially in the following form, viz:
To , You are hereby notified that, in consequence of your default
in (here insert the character of the default), of the premises now occupied
by you, being etc. (here describe the premises), I have elected to deter-
mine your lease, and you are hereby notified to quit and deliver up pos-
session of the same to me within ten days of this date (dated, etc.)
The above to be signed by the lessor or his agent, and no other notice
or demand of possession or termination of such tenancy is necessar}^
Demand may be made, or notice served, by delivering a written or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 171
pn/ited, or partly either, copy thereof to the tenant, or leaving the same
with some person above the age of twelve years residing on or in posses-
sion of the premises ; and in case no one is in the actual possession of the
said premises, then by posting the same on the premises. When the
tenancy is for a certain time, and the term expires by the terms of the
lease, the tenant is then bound to surrender possession, and no notice
to quit or demand of possession is necessar3\
Distress for rent. — In all cases of distress for rent, the landlord, by
himself, his agent or attorney, may seize for rent any personal property of
his tenant that may be found in the county where the tenant resides ; the
property of any other person, even if found on the premises, is not
liable.
An inventory of the property levied upon, with a statement of the
amount of rent claimed, should be at once filed with some justice of the
peace, if not over $200 ; and if above that sum, with the clerk of a court
of record of competent jurisdiction. Property may be released, by the
party executing a satisfactory bond for double the amount.
The landlord may distrain for rent, any time within six months after
the expiration of the term of the lease, or when terminated.
In all cases where the premises rented shall be sub-let, or the lease
assigned, the landlord shall have the same right to enforce lien against
such lessee or assignee, that he has against the tenant to whom the pre-
mises were rented.
When a tenant abandons or removes from the premises or any part
thereof, the landlord, or his agent or attorney, may seize upon any grain
or other crops grown or growing upon the premises, or part thereof so
abandoned, whether the rent is due or not. If such grain, or other crops,
or any part thereof, is not fully grown or matured, the landlord, or his
agent or attorney, shall cause the same to be properly cultivated, harvested
or gathered, and may sell the same, and from the proceeds pay all his
labor, expenses and rent. The tenant may, before the sale of such pro-
perty, redeem the same by tendering the rent and reasonable compensation
for work done, or he may replevy the same.
Exemption. — The same articles of personal property which are bylaw
exempt from execution, except the crops as above stated, is also exempt
from distress for rent.
If any tenant is about to or shall permit or attempt to sell and
remove from the premises, without the consent of his landlord, such
portion of the crops raised thereon as will endanger the lien of the land-
lord upon such crops, for the rent, it shall be lawful for the landlord to
distress before rent is due.
172 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
LIENS.
Any person who shall by contract^ express or implied, or partly both,
with the owner of any lot or tract of land, furnisli labor or material, or
services as an architect or superintendent, in building, altering, repairing
or ornamenting any house or other building or appurtenance thereto on
such lot, or upon an}^ street or alley, and connected with such improve'
ments, shall have a lien upon the whole of such lot or tract of land, and
upon such house or building and appurtenances, for the amount due to
him for such labor, material or services. If the contract is expressed, and
the time for the completion of the work is beyond three i/ears from the com-
mencement thereof; or, if the time of payment is beyond one year from
the time stipulated for the completion of the work, then no lien exists.
If the contract is implied, then no lien exists, unless the work be done or
material is furnished within one year from the commencement of the work
or delivery of the materials. As between different creditors having liens,
no preference is given to the one whose contract was first made ; but each
shares pro-rata. Incumbrances existing on the lot or tract of the land at
the time the contract is made, do not operate on the improvements, and
are only preferred to the extent of the value of the land at the time of
making the contract. The above lien can not be enforced unless suit is
commenced within six months after the last payment for labor or materials
shall have become due and payable. Sub-contractors, mechanics, workmen
and other persons furnishing any material, or performing any labor for a
contractor as before specified, have a lien to the extent of the amount due
the contractor at the time the following notice is served upon the owner
of the land who made the contract :
To , You are hereby notified, that I have been employed by-
(here state whether to labor or furnish material, and substantially the
nature of the demand) upon your (here state in general terms description
and situation of building), and that I shall hold the (building, or as the
case may be), and your interest in the ground, liable for the amount that
may (is or may become) due me on account thereof. Signature,
Date,
If there is a contract in writing between contractor and sub-contractor,
a copy of it should be served with above notice, and said notice must be
served within forty days from the completion of such sub-contract, if there
is one ; if not, then from the time payment should have been made to the
person performing the labor or furnishing the material. If the owner is
not a resident of the county, or can not be found therein, then the above
notice must be filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court, with his fee, fifty
cents, and a copy of said notice must be published in a newspaper pub-
lished in the county, for four successive weeks.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 173
When the owner or agent is notified as above, he can retain any
money due the contractor sufficient to pay such claim ; if more than one
claim, and not enough to pay all, they are to be paid pro rata.
The owner has the right to demand in writing, a statement of the
contractor, of what he owes for labor, etc., from time to time as the work
progresses, and on his failure to comply, forfeits to the owner $50 for
every offense.
The liens referred to cover any and all estates, whether in fee for
life, for years, or any other interest which the owner may have.
To enforce the lien of sub-contractors^ suit must be commenced within
three 7nonths from the time of the performance of the sub-contract, or
during the work or furnishing materials.
Hotel, inn and hoarding-house keepers, have a lien upon the baggage
and other valuables of their guests or boarders, brought into such hotel,
inn or boarding-house, by their guests or boarders, for the proper charges
due from such guests or boarders for their accommodation, board and
lodgings, and such extras as are furnished at their request.
Stable-keepers and other persons have a lien upon the horses, car-
riages and harness kept by them, for the proper charges due for the keep-
ing thereof and expenses bestowed thereon at the request of the owner
or the person having the possession of the same.
Agisters (persons who take care of cattle belonging to others), and
persons keeping, yarding, feeding or pasturing domestic animals, shall
have a lien upon the animals agistered, kept, yarded or fed, for the proper
charges due for such service.
All persons who may furnish any railroad corporation in this state
with fuel, ties, material, supplies or any other article or thing necessary
for the construction, maintenance, operation or repair of its road by con-
tract, or may perform work or labor on the same, is entitled to be paid as
part of the current expenses of the road, and have a lien upon all its pro-
perty. Sub-contractors or laborers have also a lien. The conditions and
limitations both as to contractors and sub-contractors, are about the same
as herein stated as to general liens.
DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS.
means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly
placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now,
United States Currency.
<£ means pounds, English money.
@ stands for at or to. Hb iov pound, and bbl. for barrel; "^ iov per or
hy the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c ^ tb, and Flour at $8@12 f bbl.
fo for per cent and # for number.
May 1.— Wheat sells at |1.20@1.25, "seller June." Seller June
174 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS,
means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering
it at an}^ time during the month of June.
Selling short, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or
stock, at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller
has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person selling
"short," to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may
buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts "' are termed
" bears."
Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or
shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time,
expecting to make a profit by the rise of prices. The " longs " are-
termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate" so as to "toss"
the prices upward as much as possible.
NOTES.
Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the
amount and time of payment are mentioned.
$100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 15, 1876.
Sixty da3^s from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown,.
or order. One Hundred dollars, for value received.
L. D. LowRY.
A note to be payable in any thing else than money needs only the
facts substituted for money in the above form.
ORDERS.
Orders should be worded simply, thus :
Mr. F. H. Coats: Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876;
Please pay to H. Birdsall, Twenty-five dollars, and charge to
F. D. SiLVA.
RECEIPTS.
Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus:
$100. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876.
Received of J. W. Davis, One Hundred dollars, for services
rendered in grading his lot in Fort Madison, on account.
Thomas Brady.
If receipt is in full it should be so stated.
BILLS OF PURCHASE.
"VV. N. Mason. Salem, Illinois, Sept. 15, 1876.
Bought of A. A. Graham.
4 Bushels of Seed Wheat^ at $1.50 - - - - $6.00
2 Seamless Sacks " .30 - - .60
Received payment, $6.60
A. A. Graham.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 176
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT.
An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain
thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good business men always
reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunder-
standings and trouble. No particular form is necessary, but the facts must
be clearly and explicitly stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a
reasonable consideration.
GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement, made the Second day of October, 1876, between
John Jones, of Aurora, County of Kane, State of Illinois, of the first part,
and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second part —
WITNESSETH, that the said John Jones, in consideration of the agree-
ment of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and
agrees to and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that he will deliver, in
good and marketable condition, at the Village of Batavia, 111., during the
month of November, of this year. One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in
the following lots, and at the following specified times ; namely, twenty-
five tons by the seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the
fourteenth of the month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty -first, and
the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth of
November.
And the said Thomas Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt
fulfillment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part,
contracts to and agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five
dollars per ton, for each ton as soon as delivered.
In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is
hereby stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall pay to the
other. One Hundred Dollars, as fixed and settled damages.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day and
year first above written. John Jones,
Thomas Whiteside,
AGREEMENT WITH CLERK FOR SERVICES.
This Agreement, made the first day of May, one thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six, between Reuben Stone, of Chicago, County
of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the first part, and George Barclay, of
Englewood, County of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the second part —
WITNESSETH, that Said George Barclay agrees faithfully and dili-
gentl}^ to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for
and during the space of one year from the date hereof, should both
live such length of time, without absenting himself from his occupation;
JL76 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
during which time he, the said Barclay, in the store of said Stone, of
Chicago, will carefully and honestly attend, doing and performing all
duties as clerk and salesman aforesaid, in accordance and in all respects
as directed and desired by the said Stone.
In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the said
Barclay, the said Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual sum of
one thousand dollars, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each
upon the last day of each month ; provided that all dues for days of
absence from business bv said Barclav, shall be deducted from the sum
otherwise by the agreement due and payable by the said Stone to the said
Barclay.
Witness our hands. Reuben Stone.
George Barclay.
BILLS OF SALE.
A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consider-
ation to convey his right and interest in the personal property. The
purchaser must take actual possession of the property. Juries have
power to determine upon the fairness or unfairness of a bill of sale.
COMMON FORM OF BILL OF SALE.
Know all Men by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay, of Princeton,
Illinois, of the first part, for and in consideration of Five Hundred
and Ten dollars, to me paid by John Floyd, of the same place, of the
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold, and
by this instrument do convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second
part, his executors, administrators, and assigns, my undivided half of
ten acres of corn, now growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrrell, in the
town above mentioned ; one pair of horses, sixteen sheep, and five cows,
belonging to me, and in my possession at the farm aforesaid ; to have and
to hold the same unto the party of the second part, his executors and
assigns, forever. And I do, for myself and legal representatives, agree
with the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives, to
warrant and defend the sale of the afore-mentioned property and chattels
unto the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives,
against all and every person whatsoever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand, this tenth day
of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Louis Clay.
BONDS.
«
A bond is a written admission on the part of the maker in which he
pledges a certain sum to another, at a certain time.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 177
COMMON FORM OF BOND.
Know all Men by this instrument, that I, George Edgerton, of
Watseka, Iroquois County, State of Illinois, am firmly bound unto Peter
Kirchoff, of the place aforesaid, in the sum of five hundred dollars, to be
paid to the said Peter Kirchoff, or his legal representatives ; to which
payment, to be made, I bind myself, or my legal representatives, by this
instrument.
Sealed with my seal, and dated this second day of November, one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
The condition of this bond is such that if I, George Edgerton, my
heirs, administrators, or executors, shall promptly pay the sum of two
hundred and fifty dollars in three equal annual payments from the date
hereof, with annual interest, then the above obligation to be of no effect ;
otherwise to be in full force and valid.
Sealed and delivered in
presence of George Edgerton. [l.s.]
William Turner.
CHATTEL MORTGAGES.
A chattel mortgage is a mortgage on personal property for payment
of a certain sum of money, to hold the property against debts of other
creditors. The mortgage must describe the property, and must be
acknowledged before a justice of the peace in the township or precinct
where the mortgagee resides, and entered upon his docket, and must be
recorded in the recorder's office of the county.
GENERAL FORM OF CHATTEL MORTGAGE.
This Indenture, made and entered into this first day of January,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
between Theodore Lottinville, of the town of Geneseo in the County
of Henry, and State of Illinois, party of the first part, and Paul Henshaw,
of the same town, county, and State, party of the second part.
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consider-
ation of the sum of one thousand dollars, in hand paid, the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged, does hereby grant, sell, convey, and confirm unto
the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all and
singular the following described goods and chattels, to wit :
Two three-year old roan-colored horses, one Burdett organ. No. 987,
one Brussels carpet, 15x20 feet in size, one marble-top center table, one
Home Comfort cooking stove. No. 8, one black walnut bureau with mirror
attached, one set of parlor chairs (six in number), upholstered in green
rep, with lounge corresponding with same in style and color of upholstery,
now in possession of said Lottinville, at No. 4 Prairie Ave., Geneseo, 111. ;
178 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Together with all and singular, the appurtenances thereunto \)elong-
ing, or in any wise appertaining ; to have and to hold the above described
goods and chattels, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and
assigns, forever.
Provided, always, and these presents are upon this express condition,
that if the said Theodore Lottinville, his heirs, executors, administrators,
or assigns, shall, on or before the first day of January, A.D., one thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six, pay, or cause to be paid, to the said Paul
Ranslow, or his lawful attorney or attorneys, heirs, executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, the sum of One Thousand dollars, together with the
interest that may accrue thereon, at the rate of ten per cent, per annum,
from the first day of January, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five, until paid, according to the tenor of one promissory note
bearing even date herewith for the payment of said sura of money, that
then and from thenceforth, these presents, and everything herein con-
tained, shall cease, and be null and void, anything herein contained to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Provided, also, that the said Theodore Lottinville may retain the
possession of and have the use of said goods and chattels until the day
of payment aforesaid ; and also, at his own expense, shall keep said goods
and chattels; and also at the expiration of said time of payment, if said
sura of money, tog'jther with the interest as aforesaid, shall not be paid,
shall deliver up said goods and chattels, in good condition, to said Paul
Ranslow, or his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns.
And provided, also, that if default in payraent as aforesaid, by said
party of the first part, shall be made, or if said party of the second part
shall at any time before said promissory note becomes due, feel himself
unsafe or insecure, that then the said party of the second part, or his
attorney, agent, assigns, or heirs, executors, or administrators, shall have
the right to take possession of said goods and chattels, wherever they
may or can be found, and sell the same at public or private sale, to the
highest bidder for cash in hand, after giving ten days' notice of the time
and place of said sale, together with a description of the goods and chat-
tels to be sold, by at least four advertisements, posted up in public places
in the vicinity where said sale is to take place, and proceed to make the
sura of money and interest promised as aforesaid, together with all reason-
able costs, charges, and expenses in so doing ; and if there shall be any
overplus, shall pay the same without delay to the said party of the first
part, or his legal representatives.
In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part lias hereunto
set his hand and affixed his seal, the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in
presence of Theodoki-: Lottinville. [l.s.]
Samuel J. Tilden.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 179'
LEASE OF FARM AND BUILDINGS THEREON.
This Indenture, made this second day of June, 1875, between David
Patton of the Town of Bisbee, State of Ilhnois, of the first part, and John
Doyle of the same place, of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said David Patton, for and in consideration of
the covenants hereinafter mentioned and reserved, on the part of the said
John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, to be paid, kept,
and performed, hath let, and by these presents doth grant, demise, and
let, unto the said John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns,
all that parcel of land situate in Bisbee aforesaid, bounded and described,
as follows, to wit :
\^IIere. describe the land.~\
Together with all the appurtenances appertaining thereto. To have
and to hold the said premises, with appurtenances thereto belonging, unto
the said Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term of
five years, from the first day of October next following, at a yearly rent
of Six Hundred dollars, to be paid in equal payments, semi-annually, as
lonof as said buildinofs are in o'ood tenantable condition.
And the said Doyle, by these presents, covenants and agrees to pay
all taxes and assessments, and keep in repair all hedges, ditches, rail, and
other fences ; (the said David Patton, his heirs, assigns and administra-
tors, to furnish all timber, brick, tile, and other materials necessary for
such repairs.)
Said Doyle further covenants and agrees to apply to said land, in a
farmer-like manner, all manure and compost accumulating upon said
farm, and cultivate all the arable land in a husbandlike manner, accord-
ing to the usual custom among farmers in the neighborhood ; he also-
agrees to trim the hedges at a seasonable time, preventing injury from
cattle to such hedges, and to all fruit and other trees on the said premises.
That he will seed down with clover and timothy seed twenty acres yearly
of arable land, ploughing the same number of acres each Spring of land,
now in grass, and hitherto unbroken.
It is further agreed, that if the said Doyle shall fail to perform the
whole or any one of the above mentioned covenants, then and in that
case the said David Patton may declare this lease terminated, by giving-
three months' notice of the same, prior to the first of October of any
year, and may distrain any part of the stock, goods, or chattels, or other
property in possession of said Doyle, for sufficient to compensate for the
non-performance of the above written covenants, the same to be deter-
mined, and amounts so to be paid to be determined, by three arbitrators,
chosen as follows: Each of the parties to this instrument to choose one,.
180 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
and the two so chosen to select a third ; the decision of said arbitrators
to be final.
In witness whereof, we have hereto set our hands and seals.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in presence of David Patton. [l.s.]
James Waldron. John Doyle. [l.s.]
FORM OF LEASE OF A HOUSE.
This Instrument, made the first day of October, 1875, witnesseth
that Amos Griest of Yorkville, County of Kendall, State of Illinois, hath
rented from Aaron Young of Logansport aforesaid, the dwelling and lot
No. 13 Ohio Street, situated in said City of Yorkville, for five years
from the above date, at the yearly rental of Three Hundred dollars, pay-
able monthly, on the first day of each month, in advance, at the residence
of said Aaron Young.
At the expiration of said above mentioned term, the said Griest
agrees to give the said Young peaceable possession of the said dwelling,
in as good condition as when taken, ordinary wear and casualties excepted.
In witness whereof, we place our hands and seals the day and year
aforesaid.
Signed, sealed and delivered Amos Griest. [l.s.]
in presence of
NiCKOLAS SCHUTZ, AARON YoUNG. [l.S.]
Notary Public.
LANDLORD'S AGREEMENT.
This certifies that I have let and rented, this first day of January,
1876, unto Jacob Schmidt, my house and lot. No. 15 Erie Street, in the
City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and its appurtenances ; he to have the
free and uninterrupted occupation thereof for one year from this date, at
the yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly in advance ;
Tent to cease if destroyed by fire, or otherwise made untenantable.
Peter Funk.
TENANT'S AGREEMENT.
This certifies that I have hired and taken from Peter Funk, his
house and lot. No. 15 Erie Street, in the City of Chicago, State of Illi-
nois, with appurtenances thereto belonging, for one year, to commence
this day, at a yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly
in advance ; unless said house becomes untenantable from fire or other
causes, in which case rent ceases ; and I further agree to give and yield
said premises one year from this first day of January 1876, in as good
-condition as now, ordinary wear and damage by the elements excepted.
Given under my hand this day. Jacob Schivudt.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 18X
NOTICE TO QUIT.
To F. W. Aelen,
Sir : Please observe that the term of one year, for which the house
and land, situated at No. 6 Indiana Street, and now occupied by you^
were rented to you, expired on the first day of October, 1875, and as I
desire to repossess said premises, you are hereby requested and required
to vacate the same. Respectfully Yours,
P. T. Barnum.
Lincoln, Neb., October 4, 1875.
TENANT'S NOTICE OF LEAVING.
Dear Sir :
The premises I now occupy as your tenant, at No. 6 Indiana Street^
I shall vacate on the first day of November, 1875. You will please take
notice accordingly.
Dated this tenth day of October, 1875. F. W. Arlen.
To P. T. Barnum, Esq.
REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE TO SECURE PAYMENT OF MONEY.
This Indenture, made this sixteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between William
Stocker, of Peoria, County of Peoria, and State of Illinois, and 011a, his
wife, party of the first part, and Edward Singer, party of the second part.
Whereas, the said party of the first part is justly indebted to the said
party of the second part, in the sum of Two Thousand dollars, secured
to be paid by two certain promissory notes (bearing even date herewith}
the one due and payable at the Second Natioilal Bank in Peoria, Illinois,
with interest, on the sixteenth day of May, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three ; the other due and payable at the Second
National Bank at Peoria, 111., with interest, on the sixteenth day of May,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and seven t3^-four.
Now, therefore, this indenture witnesseth, that the said party of the
first part, for the better securing the payment of the money aforesaid,
with interest thereon, according to the tenor and effect of the said two
promissory notes above mentioned ; and, also in consideration of the fur-
ther sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said party of the sec-
ond part, at the delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these
presents do grant, bargain, sell, and convey, unto the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all that certain parcel of land,
situate, etc.
\^I}e scribing the premises.^
To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the
Tenements, Hereditaments, Privileges and Appui'tenances thereunto
182 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
"belono-ing or in any wise appertaining. And also, all the estate, interest,
and claim whatsoever, in law as well as in equit}^ which the party of
the first part have in and to the premises hereby conveyed unto the said
party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, and to their only proper
use, benefit and behoof. And the said William Stocker, and 011a, his
wife, party of the first part, hereby expressly waive, relinquish, release,
^nd convey unto the said party of the second part, his heirs, executors,
administrators, and assigns, all right, title, claim, interest, and benefit
whatever, in and to the above described premises, and each and every
part thereof, which is given by or results from all laws of this state per-
taining to the exemption of homesteads.
Provided always, and these presents are upon this express condition,
that if the said party of the first part, their heirs, executors, or adminis-
trators, shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, to the said party of
the second part, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, the afore-
said sums of money, with such interest thereon, at the time and in the
manner specified in the above mentioned promissory notes, according to
the true intent and meaning thereof, then in that case, these presents and
«very thing herein expressed, shall be absolutely null and void.
In witness whereof, the said party of the first part hereunto set their
hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
James Whitehead, William Stocker. [l.s.]
Fred. Samuels. Olla Stocker. [l.s.]
WARRANTY DEED WITH COVENANTS.
This Indenture, made this sixth day of April, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between Henry Best
of Lawrence, County of Lawrence, State of Illinois, and Belle, his wife,
of the first part, and Charles Pearson of the same place, of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration
■of the sum of Six Thousand dollars in hand paid by the said party of the
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted,
bargained, and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain, and sell,
unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, ail the fol-
lowing described lot, piece, or parcel of land, situated in the City of Law-
rence, in the County of Lawrence, and State of Illinois, to wit :
\_Ee)'e describe the property.']
Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances
thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversion and
reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and profits thereof;
and all the estate, rignt, title, interest, claim, and demand whatsoever, of
the said party of the nrst part, either in law or equity, of, in, and to tht;
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 185
above bargained premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances.
To have and to hold the said premises above bargained and described,
with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs
and assigns, forever. And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, par-
ties of the first part, hereby expressly waive, release, and relinquish unto
the said party of the second part, his heirs, executors, administrators, and
assigns, all right, title, claim, interest, and benefit whatever, in and to the
above described premises, and each and every part thereof, which is given
by or results from all laws of this state pertaining to the exemption of
homesteads.
And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, party of the first
part, for themselves and their heirs, executors, and administrators, do
covenant, grant, bargain, and agree, to and with the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealing and
delivery of these presents they were well seized of the premises above
conveyed, as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute, and indefeasible estate of
inheritance in law, and in fee simple, and have good right, full power,
and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey the same, in
manner and form aforesaid, and that the same are free and clear from all
former and other grants, bargains, sales, liens, taxes, assessments, and
encumbrances of what kind or nature soever ; and the above bargained
premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons
lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof, the said party
of the first part shall and will warrant and forever defend.
In testimony whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto
set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of Henry Best, [l.s.]
Jerry Linklater. Belle Best. [l.s.]
QUIT-CLAIM DEED.
This Indenture, made the eightli day of June, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, between David Tour,
of Piano, County of Kendall, State of Illinois, party of the first part,
and Larry O'Brien, of the same place, party of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in considera-
tion of Nine Hundred dollars in hand paid by the said party of the sec-
ond part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the said party
of the second part forever released and discharged therefrom, has remised,
released, sold, conveyed, and quit-claimed, and by these presents does
remise, release, sell, convey, and quit-claim, unto the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all the right, title, interest,
18(5 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
claim, and demand, which the said party of the first part has in and to
the following described lot, piece, or parcel of land, to wit :
\^Here describe the landJ]
To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the
appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging, or in any wise there-
unto appertaining, and all the estate, right, title, interest, and claim
whatever, of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, to
the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of the said party of the second
part, his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof the said party of the first part hereunto set his
hand and seal the day and year above written.
»Siigned, sealed and delivered David Tour, [l.s.]
in presence of
Thomas Ashley.
The above forms of Deeds and Mortgage are such as have heretofore
been generally used, but the following are much shorter, and are made
equally valid by the laws of this state.
WARRANTY DEED.
The grantor (here insert name or names and place of residence), for
and in consideration of (here insert consideration) in hand paid, conveys
and warrants to (here insert the grantee's name or names) the following
described real estate (here insert description), situated in the County of
in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
QUIT CLAIM DEED.
The grantor (here insert grantor's name or names and place of resi-
dence), for the consideration of (here insert consideration) convey and
quit-claim to (here insert grantee's name or names) all interest in the
following described real estate (here insert description), situated in the
County of in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
MORTGAGE.
The mortgagor (here insert name or names) mortgages and warrants
to (here insert name or names of mortgagee or mortgagees), to secure the
payment of (here recite the nature and amount of indebtedness, showing
when due and the rate of interest, and whether secured by note or other-
wise), the following described real estate (here insert description thereof),
situated in the County of in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
RELEASE.
Know all Men by these presents, that I, Peter Ahlund, of Chicago,
of the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, for and in consideration of
One dollar, to me in hand paid, and for other good and valuable considers-
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 187
tions, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed, do hereby grant, bargain,
remise, convey, release, and quit-chaim unto Joseph Carlin of Chicago,
of the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, all the right, title, interest,
claim, or demand whatsoever, I may have acquired in, through, or by a
certain Indenture or Mortgage Deed, bearing date the second day of Jan-
uary, A. D. 1871, and recorded in the Recorder's office of said county,
in book A of Deeds, page 46, to the premises therein described, and which
said Deed was made to secure one certain promissory note, bearing even
date with said deed, for the sum of Three Hundred dollars.
Witness my hand and seal, this second day of November, A. D. 1874.
Peter Ahlund. [l.s.]
State of Illinois, )
Cook County. j I, George Saxton, a Notary Public in
and for said county, in the state aforesaid, do hereby
certify that Peter Ahlund, personally known to me
as the same person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing Release, appeared before me this day in
[ "^Je AL."^^ ] person, and acknowledged that he signed, sealed, and
delivered the said instrument of writing as his free
and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein
set forth.
Giv^n under my hand and seal, this second day of
November, A. D. 1874.
George Saxton, N. P.
GENERAL FOJtiVI OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
I, Charles Mansfield, of the Town of Salem, County of Jackson,
Scate of Illinois, being aware of the Lincertainty of life, and in failing
health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be
my last will and testament, in manner following, to wit:
First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my oldest son, Sidney H.
Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, cf bank stock, now in the
Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself
in the Town of Buskirk, consisting of one hundred jind sixty acres, with
all the houses, tenements, and improvements thereunto belonging ; to
have and to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assiguv, forever.
Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my daughters, Anna
Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two Thousand dollars in
bank stock, in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and also each
one quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in tht. Town of
Lake, Illinois, and recorded in my name in the Recorder's officvj in the
county where such land is located. The north one hundred and sixty
acres of said half section is devised to ray eldest daughter, Anna Louise.
6
188 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Third. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Frank Alfred Mans-
field, Five shares of Railroad stock in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
and my one hundred and sixty acres of land and saw mill thereon, situ-
ated in Manistee, Michigan, with all the improvements and appurtenances
thereunto belonging, which said real estate is recorded in my name in the
county where situated.
Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my
household furniture, goods, chattels, and personal property, about my
home, not hitherto disposed of, including Eight Thousand dollars of bank
stock in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, Fifteen shares in
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, pos-
session, and benefit of the home farm, so long as she may live, in lieu of
dower, to which she is entitled by law ; said farm being my present place
of residence.
Fifth. I bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield, the
income from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson Street, Chicago,
Illinois, during the term of his natural life. Said building and land there-
with to revert to my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon
the demise of my said father.
Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my wife,
Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may arrange to
relinquish her life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same
may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
And lastly. I nominate and appoint as executors of this my last will
and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, and my eldest son,
Sidney H. Mansfield.
I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shad
be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Salem, the
residue of such moneys to revert to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield,
for her use forever.
In witness whereof, I, Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and
testament, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of April,
eighteen hundred and seventy-two.
Signed, sealed, and declared by Charles
Mansfield, as and for his last will and
testament, in the presence of us, who,
at his request, and in his presence, and
in the presence of each other, have sub- )>■
scribed our names hereunto as witnesses
thereof.
Peter A. Schenck, Sycamore, Ills.
Frank E. Dent, Salem, Ills.
Charles Mansfield, [l.s.]
Charles Mansfield, [l.s.]
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. l8l)
CODICIL.
Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth da}^ of April, one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testa-
ment, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be
taken as a part thereof.
Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna
Louise, has deceased November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three,
and whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened
Richard Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch,
and all right, interest, and title in lands and bank stock and chattels
bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will.
In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth
day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy -five.
Signed, sealed, published, and declared to^
us by the testator, Charles Mansfield, as
and for a codicil to be annexed to his
last will and testament. And we, at
his request, and in his presence, and in
the presence of each other, have sub-
scribed our names as witnesses thereto,
at the date hereof.
Frank E. Dent, Salem, Ills.
John C. Shay, Salem, Ills.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
May be legally made by electing or appointing^ according to the usages
or customs of the body of which it is a part, at any meeting held for that
purpose, two or more of its members as trustees, wardens or vestrymen, and
may adopt a corporate name. The chairman or secretary of such meeting
shall, as soon as possible, make and file in the office of the recorder of
deeds of the county, an affidavit substantially in the following form :
State of Illinois,
>
County. (
I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be),
that at a meeting of the members of the (here insert the name of the
church, society or congregation as known before organization), held at
(here insert place of meeting), in the County of , and State of
Illinois, on the day of — ^ , A.D. 18—, for that purpose, the fol-
lowing persons were elected (or appointed) [here insert their natnes]
trustees, wardens, vestrymen, (or officers by whatever name the}^ may
choose to adopt, with powers similar to trustees) according to the rules
and usages of such (church, society or congregation), and said
190 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
adopted as its corporate name (here insert name), and at said meeting-
this affiant acted as (chairman or secretary, as the case may be).
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this day of , A.D.
18—. Name of Affiant
which affidavit must be recorded by the recorder, and shall be, or a certi-
fied copy made by the recorder, received as evidence of such an incorpo-
ration.
No certificate of election after the first need he filed for record.
The term of office of the trustees and the general government of the
society can be determined by the rules or by-laws adopted. Failure to-
elect trustees at the time provided does not work a dissolution, but the
old trustees hold over. A trustee or trustees may be removed, in the
same manner by the society as elections are held by a meeting called for
that purpose. The property of the society Vests in the corporation. The
corporation may hold, or acquire by purchase or otherwise, land not
exceeding ten acres, for the purpose of the society. The trustees have
the care, custody and control of the praperty of the corporation, and can,
when directed by the society, erect houses or improvements, and repair
and alter the same, and may also when so directed by the society,
mortgage, encumber, sell and convey any real or personal estate belonging
to the corporation, and make all proper contracts in the name of such
corporation. But they are prohibited by law from encumbering or inter-
fering with any property so as to destroy the effect of any gift, grant,,
devise or bequest to the corporation ; but such gifts, grants, devises of
bequests, must in all cases be used so as to carry out the object intended
by the persons making the same. Existing societies may organize in the
manner herein set forth, and have all the advantages thereof.
SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION,
The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been
brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations
not authorized by the publisher ; in order to prevent that as much as possi-
ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such
agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the fol-
lowing statement is made :
A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by
which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ;
the consideration is concurrent that the publisher shall publish the book
named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price
named. The nature and character of the tvork is described in the prospectus
and by the sample shown. These should be carefully examined before sub-
scribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay.
ABSTRACT OF lL,LINOIS STATE LAWS.
and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent^ who is merely
employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a commission
for each subscriber, and has yio authority to change or alter the conditions
upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher.
Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or
modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out by prospectus
and sample, in order to hind the principal, the subscriber should see that
such conditions or changes are stated over or in connection with his signa-
ture, so that the publisher may have notice of the same.
All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or
any other business, should remember that the law as to written contracts zs,
that they can not be varied, altered or rescinded verbally, but if done at all,
must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contem-
plating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after
the subscription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the
contract.
Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as
canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a
prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to the
prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other
matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made
in anything else hut money. They can not extend the time of payment
heyond the time of delivery, nor hind their principal for the payment of
expenses incurred in their buisness.
It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons,
before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru-
ment, would examine carefully what it is ; if they can not read themselves,
should call on some one disinterested who can.
192 CONSTITUTION OP THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND ITS AMENDMENTS.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect uniouy.
establish justice, insure domestic trariquillity, provide for the common
defense, promote the general ivelfare, and secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America.
Article I.
Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in
a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and
House of Representatives.
Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem-
bers chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the-
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of
the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the
age of twenty-live years, and been seven years a citizen of the United
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in
which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the sev-
eral states Avhicli may be included within this Union, according to their
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole
number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of
years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons.
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse-
quent term of ten j^ears, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The
number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand^
but each state shall have at least one Representative ; and until such
enumeration shall be made the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled
to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plan-
tations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylva-
nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five,,
and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the
Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such
vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Sec. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two
Senators from each state, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years ;
and each Senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first
election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes.
The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expira-
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19d
tion of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth
year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that
one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any state,
the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacajcies.
No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age
of thirty years and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an "inhabitant of that state for which he
shall be chosen.
The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the
Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro
tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise
the office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When
sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the
President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside.
And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds
of the members present.
Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of
honor, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the party convicted
shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment,
and punishment according to law.
Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Sen-
ators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the Legis-
lature thereof ; but the Congress ma}^ at any time by law make or alter
such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by
law appoint a different day.
Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, returns, and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute
a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to
day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members
in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.
Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its
members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds,
expel a member.
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment,
require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house
on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered
on the journal.
Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
Sec. 6. The Senators and Kepresentatives shall receive a compen-
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the
treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason.
194 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their
attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and
returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house
they shall not be questioned in any other place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall
have been increased during such time ; and no person holding any office
under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his
continuance in office.
Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments
as on other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and
the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President
1' the United States ; if he approve he shall sign it ; but if not he shall
return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have origi-
nated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and
proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration two-thirds of that
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec-
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all
such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays,
and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned
by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted), after it shall have
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he
had signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its
return, in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a
question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the
United States, and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by
him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of
the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and lim-
itations prescribed in the case of a bill.
Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power —
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts,
and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United
States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout
the United States ;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States ;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several
Str.tes, and with the Indian tribes ;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on
the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States ;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and
fix the standard of weights and measures ;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and
current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads ;
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 195
To promote the progress of sciences and useful arts, by securing,
for I'mited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their
respective writings and discoveries ;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high
seas, and offenses against the law of nations ;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules
concerning captures on land and water ;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that
use shall be for n longer term than two years ;
To provide and maintain a navy ;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and
naval forces ;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ;
To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and
for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the
United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the
officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the disci-
pline prescribed by Congress ;
To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United
States, and to exercise Uke authority over all places purchased by the
consent of the Legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful
buildings ; and
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this
Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart-
ment or officer thereof.
Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited
by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight,
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten
dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended,
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may
require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion
to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or rev-
enue to the ports of one state over those of another ; nor shall vessels
bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in
another.
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of
appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of
the receipts and expeditures of all public money shall be published from
time to time.
196 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
N
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States : and no
person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the
consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title
of any kind whatever, irom any king, prince, or foreign state.
Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confeder-
ation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of
credit ; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts
or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary
for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and
imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the
Treasury of the United States °, and all such laws shall be subject to tha
revision and control of the Congress.
No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will
not admit of delay.
Article II.
Section 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of
the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term
of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same
term, be elected as follows :
Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof
may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress ;
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
[*The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by
ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of
the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the
persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they
shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government
of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Pres-
ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.
The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ;
and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal
number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately
choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a ma-
jority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like
manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote
shall be taken b}^ states, the representation from each state having one
vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be
necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President,
• This clause between.brackets has been superseded and annulled by the Twelfth amendment.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19T
the person having the greatest number of votes of the Electors shall be-
the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have
equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-Presi-
dent.]
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and
the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same
throughout the United States.
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United
States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible
to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that
office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been
fourteen years a resident within the United States.
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death,
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-Puesident, and the Congress-
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabil-
ity, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall
then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis-
ability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com-
pensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive
within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of
them.
Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the fol-
lowing oath or affirmation :
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Sec. 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the army and
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when
called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective-
offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses
against the United States, ex-cept in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present con-
cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate,
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose
appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be
established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment
of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which,
shall expire at the end of their next session.
Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information-
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such mea-
sures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may on extraordinary
198 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
■occasions convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagree-
ment between them, Avith respect to the time of adjournment, he may
.adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive
ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the of^cers of the United
■States.
Sec. 4. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con-
viction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article III.
Section I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested
in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as the Congress may from
time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at
stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.
Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and
equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and
treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls ; to all cases of
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United
States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ;
between a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ-
ent states ; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants
of different states, and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign
states, citizens, or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls,
and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have
original jurisdiction.
In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall
have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions
and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by
jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shali
have been committed ; but when not committed within any state, the
trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have
directed.
Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levy-
ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the tes-
timony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason,
but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture,
except during the life of the person attainted.
Article IV.
Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the
public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19^
tlie Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges-
and immunities of citizens in the several states.
A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime^
who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall, on demand
of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered
up, to be removed to the state having jurisdicl'on of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered
up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ^
but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any
other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states,,
or parts of states, without the consent of the Legislatures of the states,
concerned, as well as of. the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful
rules and regulations respecting the territor}' or other property belonging-
to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed
as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state.
Sec. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this.
Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them
against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu-
tive (when the Legislature can not be convened), against domestic vio-
lence.
Article V.
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it
necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the ap-
plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call
a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution, when rati-
fied by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con-
ventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi-
cation may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment
which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and
eiq-ht shall in anv manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth
section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall
be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adop-
tion of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under
this Constitution as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be
made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made,
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the
land ; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in
the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the mem-
7
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATliU
^ers of the several state Legislatures, and all executive and judicial offi-
<;ers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound
b}^ oath or affirmation to support this Constitution ; but no_ religious test
.«hall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under
the United States.
Article VII.
The ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient
for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying
the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the
United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof we have
hereunto subscribed our names.
GEO. WASHINGTON,
President a7id Deputy from Virginia.
Neiv Hampshire.
John Langdon,
Nicholas Gilman.
Massachusetts.
Nathaniel Gorham,
RuFus King.
Connecticut.
Wm. Sam'l Johnson,
EoGER Sherman.
New York.
Alexander Hamilton.
New Jersey.
WiL. Livingston,
Wm. Paterson,
David Brearley,
JoNA. Dayton.
Pennsylvania.
B. Franklin,
RoBT. Morris,
Thos. Fitzsimons,
James Wilson,
Thos. Mifflin,
Geo. Clymer,
Jared Ingersoll,
Gouv. Morris.
Delaware.
Geo. Read,
John Dickinson,
Jaco. Broom,
Gunning Bedford, Jr.,
Richard Bassett.
Maryland.
James M' Henry,
Danl. Carroll,
Dan. of St. Thos. Jenifer.
Virginia.
John Blair,
James Madison, Jr.
North Carolina.
Wm. Blount,
Hu. Williamson,
Rich'd Dobbs Spaight.
South Carolina.
J. Rutledge,
Charles Pinckney,
Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney,
Pierce Butler.
Georgia.
William Few,
Abr. Baldwin.
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.
AND ITS AJVIENDMENTS. 203
Articles in Addition to and Amendatory of the Constitution
OF THE United States of America.
Proposed hy Congress and ratified hy the Legislatures of the several states,
pursuant to the fifth article of the original Constitution.
Article I.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article II.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free
state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Article III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be pre-
scribed by law.
Article IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio-
lated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by
oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched
and the persons or things to be seized.
Article V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor
shall private .property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ;
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to
have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Article VII.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact
204 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United
States than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article IX.
The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively,
or to the people.
Article XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to
extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one
of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or sub-
jects of any foreign state.
Article XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name in their
ballots the person to be voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the
person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of
all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-
President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign
and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person
having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ;
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the
highest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as
President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by
ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be
taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote; a
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to
a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a Presi-
dent whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the
fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of
the President. The person having tlie greatest number of votes as Vice-
President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be the majority
of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a major-
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 205
ity^ then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose
the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds
of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number
shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the
United States.
Article XIII.
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their juris-
diction.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro-
priate legislation.
Article XIV.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United
States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several states
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of per-
sons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed ; but when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice-
President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the execu-
tive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the Legislature
thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being
twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way
abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the num-
ber of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
twenty-one years of age in such state.
Sec. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress,
or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or
military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previ-
ously taken an oath as a Member of Congress, or as an officer of the
United States, or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an execu-
tive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebelhon against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress mav
by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability.
Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States author-
ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and boun-
ties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be ques-
tioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall pay any debt
or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the
United States, or any loss or emancipation of any slave, but such debts,
obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.
20G
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this act.
Article XV.
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro-
priate legislation.
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT.
November 7, 1876.
COUNTIES.
Adams ,
Alexander..,
Bond
Boone
Brown
Bureau
Calhoun
Carroll
Ca.ss
Champaign..
Christian
Clarlc
Clay
Clinton
Coles
Cook
Crawford
Cumberland.
DeKalb
DeWitt
Douglas
DuPage
Edgar
Edwards
Effingham...
Fayrrte
Foru
Frpiklin
Fulton
Gallatin
Greene
Grundy
Hamilton
Hancock
Hardin
Henderson...
Henry
Iroquois
Jackson
Jasper
Jetferson
Jersey
Jo Daviess...
Johnson ... .
Kane
Kankakee ...
Kendall
Knox
Lake
La .Salle
Lawrence
l.ee
1-i
5
a; 0^
" C^ -H
C CS
u-S^
CD c;-2
c"2
.3
■Jlo
*>— s
G.) " ^
< o
&^&
2iiS
— "c
■S*
X tf
H"*"
C,-'
y:S-
<
COUNTIES.
C """*->
Sid
c
§53g
«-gs
S«
o
Tilden
Hendrl
Dcnioc
si®
eg
~ o
a
4953
1219
1520
1965
944
3719
441
2231
1209
4530
2501
1814
1416
1329
2957
36548
1355
1145
3679
1928
1631
2129
2715
970
1145
1881
1601
966
4187
703
1695
1996
627
3496
330
1315
4177
3768
2040
1346
1345
2907
1367
5398
2627
1869
.5235
2619
6277
1198
3087
6308
1280
1142
363
1495
2218
900
918
1618
3103
3287
2197
1541
1989
2822
39240
1643
1407
1413
1174
1357
1276
2883
466
2265
2421
742
1.302
4669
1140
3160
1142
1433
4307
611
1015
1928
2578
2071
41 17i....
17
43
183
145
1667
2166
2276
893
2850
1363
524
2632
1647
6001
1329
2080
111
74
604
207
236
112
132
102
277
38
129
65
746
94
25
161
61
43
57
204
391
89
282
1
108
770
134
1
340
249
106
647
140
61
172
26
.309
141
55
514
27
100
2
1
2 11
10
Livingston i 3550
Logan I 2788
Macon 3120
Macoupin 3567
Madison.
Marion
Marshall
Mason
Massac
McDonough..
McHenry
McLean
Menard
Mercer
Monroe
Montgomery .
Morgan
Moultrie
Ogle
Peoria
Pope
Perry
Piatt
Pike
Pulaski
Putnam
Randolph
Richland
Rock Island...
Saline
Sangamon ....
Schuyler
Scott
Shelby
Stark
St. Clair
Stephenson...
Tazewell
Union
Vermilion
Wabash
Warren
Washington..
Wayne
White
Whiteside
Will
Williamson...
Winnebago...
Woodford
4554
2009
1553
1566
1231
2952
3465
6363
1115
2209
845
2486
3069
1245
3833
4665
1319
1541
1807
8055
1043
646
2357
1410
3912
980
4851
1522
910
2069
1140
4708
3198
2850
978
4372
650
2795
1911
1570
1297
3851
4770
1672
4505
1733
Total 1275958 257099 16951 130 157
2134
2595
2782
4076
4730
2444
14.30
1939
793
2811
1874
4410
1657
1428
1651
3013
3174
1672
1921
5443
800
1383
1316
4040
772
459
2589
1552
2838
1081
584
1804
1269
3553
786
5891
2758
3171
2155
3031
936
1984
1671
1751
2066
2131
3999
1644
1568
2105
1170
i
37
268
16
114
39
1
209
135
1
86
3
20
347
. . . .
34
3
51H
8
7
10
90
3
201
109
....
3
28
....
104
«
95
5
....
48
....
117
.
35
1
4
14
2
....
....
55
■ • • .
• • * *
27
....
641
> > > >
29
....
115
182
....
....
341
....
96
99
....
1
26
»
44
2
a
3
288
9
207
....
138
. .. .
1
39
482
....
. . •
469
4
133
s
1
677
• * . .
41
, _
70
13
2
237
1
4
Practical Rules for Every Day Use.
Hoiv to find the gain -or loss per cent, when the cost and selling price
tare given.
Rule. — Find the difference between the cost and selling price, which
will be the gain or loss.
Annex two ciphers to the gain or loss, and divide it by the cost
price ; the result will be the gain or loss per cent.
How to change gold into currency.
Rule. — Multiply the given sum of gold by the price of gold.
How to change currency into gold.
Divide the amount in currency by the price of gold.
How to find each partner's share of the gain or loss in a copartnership
husiness.
Rule. — Divide the whole gain or loss by the entire stock, the quo-
tient will be the gain or loss per cent.
Multipl}^ each partner's stock by this per cent., the result will be
each one's share of the gain or loss.
How to find gross and net weight and price of hogs.
A short and simple method for finding the net weight., or price of hogs^
when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa.
Note.— It is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs diininislied by 1-5 or 20 per cent,
of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by K or 25 per cent, of itself equals the
«;ross weight.
To find the net weight or gross price.
Multiply the given number by .8 (tenths.)
To find the gross tveight or net price.
Divide the given number by .8 (tenths.)
How to find the capacity of a granary, bin, or wagon-bed.
Rule. — Multiply (by short method) the nnmber of cubic feet by
6308, and point off one decimal place — the result will be the correct
answer in bushels and tenths of a bushel.
For only an approximate ansiver, multiply the cubic feet by 8, and
point off one decimal place.
How to find the contents of a corn-crib.
Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, or
(207)
208 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
by 4^ ordinary method, and point off one decimal place — the result wil>
be the answer in bushels.
Note.— Ill estliiiatiiiK corn in tlie car, the quaUty and the time it lias been cribbed must he taken
Into consideration, since corn will shrink considerahly during the Winter and Spring. This rule generally holds
good for corn measured at the time it is cribbed, provided it is sound andcleau.
Hoiv to find the contents of a cistern or tank.
Rule. — Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the depth (ali
m feet) and this product by 5681 (short method), and point off ONE
decimal place — the result will be the contents in barrels of 31-i gallons.
How to find the contents of a barrel or cask.
Rule. — Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length,
(all in inches) in reversed order, so that its units will fall under the-
tens ; multiply by short method, and this product again by 430 ; point,
off one decimal place, and the result will be the answer in wine gallons.
How to measure > boards.
Rule. — Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and
divide the product by 12 — the result will be the contents in square feet.
How to measure scantlings, joists, planks, sills, etc.
Rule. — Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together
(the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide-
the product by 12 — the result will be square feet.
How to find the number of acres in a body of land.
Rule. — Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide the-
product by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is ar
remainder) ; the result will be the answer in acres and hundredths.
When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal length,
add them together and take one-half for the mean length or width.
How to find the number of square yards in a floor or ivall.
Rule. — Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), and
divide the product by 9, the result will be square yards.
How to find the number of bricks required in a building.
Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22.^.
The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, height
and thickness (in feet) together.
Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and two inches
thick ; hence, it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar,
but it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the space.
How to find the number of shingles required in a roof.
Rule. — Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if the
shingles are exposed 4i inches, or by 7 1-5 if exposed 5 inches.
To find the number of square feet, multiply the length of the roof by
twice the length of the rafters.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 209
To find the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply the
width of the building by .56 (hundredths) ; at one-third pitch, by .6
(tenths) ; at two-fifths pitch, by .64 (hundredths) ; at one-half
pitch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from
the apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be
taken into consideration.
Note.— By Jf or J4 pitch is meant tliat the apex or comb of the roof is to be K or M the widtli of the
•building higher than the walls or base of the rafters.
How to reckon the cost of hay.
Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton,
and remove the decimal point three places to the left.
How to measure grain.
Rule. — Level the grain ; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic
feet ; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to
the left.
Note.— Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra bushel.
The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by
multiplying the number of bushels by 8.
If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to find
the number of bushels of shelled corn, because it requires 2 bushels of eai
(Corn to make 1 of shelled corn.
Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments.
In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any
■given plot in square j^ards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the
number of rods and acres.
The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now,
«,n ordinary-sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on
the average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes.
To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to
walk in a straight line ; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line
•straight ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote ; and, in walk-
ing, keep these objects constantly in line.
Farmers and others by adopting the following simple and ingenious con-
trivance., may always carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard
■measure.
Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of
the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the
left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink.
To find hoiv many rods in length will make an acre., the width being given.
Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer.
210 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
How to find the number of acres in any plot of land^ the number of rod»
being given.
Rule. — Divide the number of rods by 8, multiply the quotient by 5^
and remove the decimal point two places to the left.
The diameter being given, to find the circumference.
Rule. — Multiply the diameter by 3 1-7.
Sow to find the diameter, ivhen the circumference is given.
Rule. — Divide the circumference by 3 1-7.
To find hotv many solid feet a round stick of timber of the same thick-
ness throughout tvill contain when squared.
Rule. — Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, multiply
by the length in feet, and divide the product by 144.
General rule for measuring timber, to find the solid contents in feet.
Rule. — Multiply the depth in inches by the breadth in inches, and
then multiply by the length in feet, and divide by 144.
To find the number of feet of timber in trees with the bark on.
Rule. — Multiply the square of one-fifth of the circumference Id
inches, by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to
1-15 according to the thickness of the bark.
Hotvard s neiv rule for computing interest.
Rule. — The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the interest
on any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the decimal
point two places to the left ; for ten times that time, remove the point
one place to the left ; for 1-10 of the same time, remove the point three
places to the left.
Increase or diminish the results to suit the time given.
Note.— The reciprocal of the rate isfouiul by inverting t lie rate ; thus 3 per cent, per month, in-
verted, becomes >i of a month, or 10 days.
When the rate is expressed by one figure, always ^yrite it thus : 3-1,.
three ones.
Rule for converting English into American currency.
Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence stated in decimals,,
by 400 plus the premium in fourths, and divide the product by 90.
U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND MEASURE.
A township — 36 sections each a mile square.
A section — 640 acres.
A quarter section, half a mile square — 160 acres.
An eighth section, half a mile long, north and south, and a quarter
of a mile wide — 80 acres.
A sixteenth section, a quarter of a mile square — 40 acres.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 211
The sections are all numbered 1 to 36, commencing at the north-east
corner.
The sections are divided into quarters, which are named by the
cardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The de-
scription of a forty acre lot would read : The south half of the west half of
the south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, north of range 7 west,
or as the case might be; and sometimes will fall short and sometimes
overrun the number of acres it is supposed to contain.
The nautical mile is 795 4-5 feet longer than the common mile.
SURVEYORS' MEASURE.
7 92-100 inches make 1 link.
25 links " 1 rod.
4 rods " 1 chain.
80 chains " 1 mile.
Note. — A chain is 100 links, equal to 4 rods or 66 feet.
Shoemakers formerly used a subdivision of the inch called a barley-
corn ; three of which made an inch.
Horses are measured directly over the fore feet, and the standard of
measure is four inches — called a hand.
In Biblical and other old measurements, the term span is sometimes
used, which is a ler.gth of nine inches.
The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length.
The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length.
A pace is equal to a j^ard or 36 inches.
A fathom is equal to 6 feet.
A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is strictly
speaking a nautical term, and should be three geographical miles, equal
to 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute miles are said
to be a league.
In cloth measure an aune is equal to li yards, or 45 inches.
An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.796 inches.
A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches.
A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches.
HOW TO KEEP ACCOUNTS.
Every farmer and mechanic, whether he does much or little business,
should keep a record of his transactions in a clear and systematic man-
ner. For the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity of ac-
quiring a primary knowledge of the principles of book-keeping, we here
present a simple form of keeping accounts which is easil}' comprehended,
unci well adapted to record the business transactions of farmers, mechanics
and laborers.
212
MISCELLA]SlEOUS INFORMATION.
1875.
A. H. JACKSON,
Di.
Cv.
Jan. 10 To 7 bushels Wheat at $1.25
((
17
Feb.
4
((
4
March
8
a
8
a
13
(C
27
April
a
9
9
May
a
6
24
July
4
By shoeing span of Horses
To 14 bushels Oats at
Too lbs. Butter at
By new Harrow
By sharpening 2 Plows
By new Double-Tree
To Cow and Calf.
To half ton of Hay
By Cash - - - - -
By repairing Corn-Planter.
To one Sow with Pigs
Bv Cash, to balance account
$ .45
.25
18
6
1
48
6
17
75
30
00
25
50
$88
05
12
18
25
4
35
$88
50
00
40
25
00
75
15
05
1875.
CASSA MASON,
I>i-
Ci
March 21]%
" 21
i(
23
May
1
t<
1
June
19
((
26
July
10
^l
29
Aug.
12
((
12
Sept.
1
3 davs' labor - at $1.25
To 2 Shoats at 3.00
To 18 bushels Corn at .45
By 1 month's Labor
To Cash
By 8 days' Mowing at $1.50
To 50 lbs. Flour -
To 27 lbs. Meat -..at$ .10
By 9 days' Harvesting at 2.00
By 6 days' Labor .- at 1.50
To Cash.... - --
To Cash to balance account
$3
75
$6
00
8
10
25
00
10
00
12
00
2
75
2
70
18
00
9
00
20
00
18
20
$67
$67
75
75
INTEREST TxVBLE.
A SIMPLE RULE FOr. ACCURATELY COMPUTINfJ INTEREST AT ANV GIVEN I'Eli CENT. FOR ANY
Length op iimk.
MultiDlvtlie prirtcipdl (amount of money at uitcrest) by the time reduced to days; then divide this proditct
bythequoflarolKedhydividinK360(the numl.er of days in the interest year) by the p.r cent, ot .nterest.
a,nd the quotient thus obtained will lie the required interest.
ILLUSTRATION. Solution.
$462.50
.48
370000
) 6)360 \ 185000
60 /$223. 0000(83.70
180
420
420
~00
cent., by 45; and in like manner for any other per cent
MISCELLANEOUS TABLE.
12 units, or things, 1 Dozen.
12 dozen, 1 Gross.
20 things, 1 Score.
196 pounds, 1 Barrel of Flour.
200 pounds, 1 Barrel of Pork.
56 pounds, 1 Firkin of Butter.
24 sheets of i)aper. 1 Quire.
20 quires paper 1 Keani.
4 ft. wide, 4 ft. high, and 8 ft. long.
1 Cord Wood.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 213
NAMES OF THE STATES OF THE UNION, AND THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS,
Virginia. — The oldest of the States, was so called in honor of Queen
Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made
his first attempt to colonize that region.
Florida. — Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida on Easter
Sunday, and called the country in commemoration of the day, which was
the Pasqua Florida of the Spaniards, or " Feast of Flowers."
Louisiana Avas called after Louis the Fourteenth, who at one time
owned that section of the country,
Alabama was so named by the Indians, and signifies " Here we Rest."
Mississippi is likewise an Indian name, meaning " Long River."
Arkansas, from Kansas, the Indian word for " smoky water." Its
prefix was really arc, the French word for " bow."
The Carolinas were originally one tract, and were called "Carolana,"
after Charles the Ninth of France.
G-eorgia owes its name to George the Second of England, who first
established a colony there in 1732.
Tennessee is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend," i. e., the
Mississippi which forms its western boundary.
Kentucky is the Indian name for " at the head of the river."
Ohio means " beautiful ; " Iowa, " drowsy ones ; " Minnesota, " cloudy
water," and Wisco7isi7i, " wild-rushing channel."
Illifwis is derived from the Indian word illini, men, and the French
suffix ois, together signifying "tribe of men."
Michigan was called by the name given the lake, fish-weir, which was
so styled from its fancied resemblance to a fish trap.
Missouri is from the Indian word " muddy," which more properly
applies to the river that flows through it.
Oregon owes its Indian name also to its principal river.
Cortes named California.
Massachusetts is the Indian for " The country around the great hills."
Connecticut, from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long
River."
Maryland, after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First, of
England.
New York was named by the Duke of York.
Pennsylvania means " Penn's woods," and was so called after William
Penn, its orignal owner.
214
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
Dclaivare after Lord De La Ware.
Netv Jersei/, so called in honor of Sir George Carteret, who was
Governor of the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel.
Maine was called after the province of Maine in France, in compli-
ment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province.
Vermont, from the French word Vert Mont, signifying Green
Mountain.
New Hampshire, from Hampshire county in England. It was.
formerly called Laconia.
The little State of Rhode Island owes its name to the Island of
Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly
resemble.
Texas is the American word for the Mexican name by which all that
section of the country was called before it was ceded to the United States.
POPULATION OF THE
UNITED STATES.
States and Territories.
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
jllinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire..
New.lPrsey
New York
North Carolina ...
Ohio
OrcBDU
I'ciiiisylvaMia
Kliode Island
Soutli Carolina —
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
VirRinia
West Vir(,'inia
Wisconsin
Arizona
Colorada
I)akol;i
District of Columbia.
Idaho
Montana
New Mexico
Ulali
W»^hi ngton
Wyoming
Total
Population.
Total States 38,113,253
996.
484.
560,
537,
125,
187.
1.184,
2,539,
1,680,
1,191,
364.
1,321,
726,
626,
780,
1,457,
1,184.
439.
827,
1,721,
122,
42
318.
906.
4,382.
1,071,
2,66,5.
90,
3,521,
217.
705
1,258
818
330
1,225,
442
1,054
992
471
247
454
015
748
109
891
637
792
399
Oil
915
915
894
351
059
06
922
295
993
491
300
096
759
361
260
923
791
353
606
520
,579
551
,163
014
670
9,658
39,864
14,181
131.700
14,999
. 20,595
91.874
86,786
23,955
9,118
Total Territories. 442 ,730
Total United States 38.555.983
POPULATION OF FIFTY
PRINCIPAL CITIES.
Cities.
New York, N. Y
Philadelphia, Pa
Brooklyn, N. Y
St. Louis, Mo
Chicago. Ill
Baltimore, Md
Boston, Mass
Cincinnati. Ohio
New Orleans, La. ...
San Francisco, Cal...
Buffalo, N. Y
Washington. D. C...
Newark. N. ,1
Louisville, Ky
Cleveland. Oliio
Pittsburg. Pa
■Jersey City, N. J —
Detroit, Mich
Milwaukee, Wis
Albany. N. Y
Providence, R. I
Rochester, N. Y
Allegheny, Pa
Richmond, Va
New Haven, C'onn...
Charleston. S. C
Indianapolis, Ind —
Troy, N. Y
Syracuse, N. Y
Worcester, Mass
Lowell. Mass
Memphis, Tenn
Cambridge, Mass
Hartford. Conn
■Scranton. Pa
Reading, Pa
Paterson. N. J
Kansas City, Mo
Moiulo, Ala
Toledo. Ohio
Portland. Me
Columbus, Ohio
Wilmington, Del
Dayton, Ohio
Lawrence, Mass
Utica, N. Y
Charlestown, Mass.
Savannali, Ga
Lynn. Mass
F'all River, Mass....
Aggregate
Population.
942.292
674,022
396,099
310,864
298. 97T
267,354
2,50,526
216,239
191,418
149.473
117,714
109,199
10,5,059
100,753
92.829
86,076
82,546
79,577
71,440
69,422
68.904
62.386
53.180
51.038
50, 840
48,956
48,244
46,465
43.051
41,105
40,928
40.226
39,634
37,180
35.092
33,930
33,579
32,260
32.034
31,584
31,418
31,274
30.841
,30.47S
28,921
28,804
28,323
28,235
28,233
26,766
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
21c
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
States A^■D
Territories.
States.
Alabama
Arkansas
(.'alifDiiiia 1
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massacliusetts..
Michigan*
Minnesota
Jlississijipi
Missouri
Nebraslia
Nevada 1
New Hampshire.
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina. .
Ohio
Oregon
* Last Census
Area in
s<iuare
Miles.
198
981
674
V20
268
000
410
809
045
318
bOO
346
776
184
800
451
531
156
350
9P5
090
280
320
000
704
964
244
PnptTLATIOX.
1870.
996,992
484,471
560,247
537,454
125,015
187,748
1,184,109
2.539,891
1,680.637
1,191.792
364,399
1,321,011
726,915
626,915
780,894
1,457,351
1,184,059
439,706
827,922
1,721,295
123,993
42,491
318.300
906,096
4,382.759
1.071,361
2,665.260
90,923
1875.
1,3.50,.544
528,349
857,039
1,651,912
1,334.031
598,429
246,280
52,540
1,026,502
4,705,208
Miles
R. R.
1872.
1,671
25
1,013
820
227
466
2,108
5,904
3,529
3.160
1,760
1,123
539
871
820
1,606
2,235
1,612
990
2,580
828
593
790
1,265
4,470
1,190
3,740
lo9
of Michigan taken in 1874.
Statk.s and
Tkrritoriks.
States.
Pennsylvania...
Rhode Island...
•South Carolina.
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia...
Wisconsin
Total States.
Territories.
Arizoiui
Colorado
Dakota
Dist.'Of Columbia.
Idaho
Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Total Territories.
Area in
square
Miles.
46.000
1,306
29,385
45,600
237,.504
10,212
40,904
23,000
53,924
1,950,171
113,916
104,500
147,490
60
90,932
143.776
121,201
80.056
69,944
93,107
POPULATIOIV.
1870.
3,521,
217,
705,
1,258,
818.
330.
1,225-
442,
1,054,
791
353
606
520
579
551
163
014
670
38,113,253
9.658
39,864
14,181
131,700
14,999
20,595
91.874
86,786
23,955
9,118
965,032 442.730
1875.
258,239
925,145
1,236,729
Miles
R. R.
1872.
5,113
136
1,201
1,520
865
675.
1,490
485
1.725
59,587
392;
375
■"498
1,265 ■
Aggregate of U. S.. 2,915,203 38,555,983 60,852-
* Included in the Railroad Mileage of Maryland.
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD
l^OPULATION AND ArEA.
Countries.
China
British Empire
Russia
United States with Alaska
France
Austria and Hungary
Japan
(ireat Britain and Ireland
German Empire
Italy
Spain
Brazil
Turkey
Mexico
Sweden and Norway
Persia
Belgium
Bavaria
Portugal
Holland
jM ew Grenada
Chili
Switzerland
Peru
Bolivia
Argentine Republic
Wurtenit)iirg
Denmark
Venezuela
Baden
Greece
Guatemala
Ecuador
Paraguay
Hesse
Liberia
San Salvador
Hayti
Nicaragua
Uruguay
Honduras
San Domingo
Costa Rica
Hawaii
Population.
446,
226,
81,
38,
36,
35,
34,
31,
29,
27,
16,
10,
16,
9,
5,
5,
5,
4,
3,
3,
3,
o
2!
2,
2,
1,
1,
1,
I,
1,
1
1
1
1
500.000
817,108
925,400
925,600
469,800
904,400
785,300
817,100
906,092
439,921
642,000
000.000
463,000
173,000
921,500
000,000
021,300
861,400
995,200
688, .300
000.000
000,000
669,100
500,000
000,000
812,000
818.500
784.700
500.000
.461,400
457,900
180,000
,300,000
000,000
823,138
718,000
600.000
572,000
350,000
300,000
350,000
136,000
165.000
62.950
Date of
Census.
1871
1871
1871
1870
1866
1869
1871
1871
1871
1871
1867
1869
1870
1870
1869
1871
1868
1870
1870
1869
1870
1871
'1869
1871
1870
'1871
1870
1871
"1871
'1871
1871
■1871
1871
1871
'1876
Area in
Square
Miles.
3,741,846
4,677,432
8,003,778
2,603,884
204.091
240.348
149,399
121.315
160,207
118.847
195,775
3,253.029
672,621
761,526
292.871
635,964
11,373
29,292
34,494
12,680
357.157
132,616
15,992
471,838
497,321
871,848
7,533
14,753
368,238
5,912
19,353
40,879
218,928
63,787
2,969
9,576
7,335
10,205
58,171
66,722
47,092
17,827
21,505
7,633
Inhabitants
to Square
Mile.
119.3
48.6
10.2
7.78
178.7
149.4
232.8
262.3
187.
230.9
85.
3.07
24.4
20.
7.8
441.5
165.9
115.8
290.9
8.4
15.1
166.9
5.3
4.
2.1
241.4
120.9
4.2
247.
75.3
28.9
5.9
15.6
277.
74.9
81.8
56.
6.
6.5
7.4
7.6
7.7
80.
Capitals.
Pekln ,
London
St. Petersburg.
Washington ...
Paris
Vienna
Yeddo
London ,
Berlin
Rome
Madrid
Rio Janeiro
Constantinople
Mexico
Stockholm
Teheran
Brussels
Munich
Lisbon
Hague
Bogota
Santiago
Berne
Lima
Chuquisaca
Buenos Ay res..
Stuttgart
Copenhagen....
Caraceas
Carlsruhe
Athens
Guatemala
Quito
Asuncion
Darmstadt
Monrovia
Sal Salvador . . .
Port au Prince
Managua
Monte Video...
Comayagna
San Domingo...
San Jose
Honolulu
Population.
1,648,800 ■
3.251.800
667,000
109.199
1,825,300
83.3.900
1,5.54,900
3,251,800
825.400
244.484
332,000
420.000
1,075,000
210.300
136,900
120,000
314,100
169,500
224,063
90,100
45,000
115,400
36,000 •
160,100
25,000
177.800
91,600
162,042
47,000
36,600
43.400
40,000
70,000
48.000
30.000
3,000
15,000
20,000'
10,000-
44,500
12,000
20,000-
2,000'
.216
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS,
By Counties.
COUNTIES.
.Adams
Alexander
Bond --
Boone
Brown
Bureau
Calhoun
•Carroll
■Cass
Champaign..
■Christian
Clark
Clay.
-Clinton
■Coles
'Cook
•Crawford
Cumberland .
De Kalb
De Witt
Douglas
Du Page
Edgar
Edwards
Effingham
Fayette
Ford
Franklin
Fulton
Gallatin
•Greene
•Grundy
Hamilton
Hancock
Hardin
Henderson ..
Henry
Iroquois
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson
Jersey
Jo Daviess...
Johnson
Kane
Kankakee
Kendall
Knox
Lake
La Salle
Lawrence
L,ee -
Livingston ..
iLogau
AGGREGATE.
1870.
56362
10564
I3152
12942
12205
32415
6562
16705
II5S0
32737
20363
18719
I5S75
16285
25235
349966
13SS9
12223
23265
14768
13484
166S5
21450
15653
19638
9103
12652
3S29I
III34
20277
14938
I30I4
35935
5113
125S2
35506
257S2
19634
11234
17S64
15054
27820
1124S
39091
24352
12399
3952
21014
60792
12533
27171
31471
23053
1860. ! 1850. 1840. 1830. 1830
41323
4707
9815
II67S
9938
26426
5144
II733
II325
14629
10492
14987
9336
1 094 1
14203
144954
II551
8311
I90S6
10820
7140
I4701
16925
5454
78 16
11189
1979
9393
3333S
8055
16093
10379
9915
29061
3759
9501
20660
12325
95S9
8364
12965
12051
27325
9342
30062
15412
13074
2S663
1S257
48332
9214
17651
11637
14272
26508
2484
6144
7624
7198
8841
3231
4586
7253
2649
3203
9532
4289
5139
9335
43385
7135
3718
7540
5002
9290
10692
3524
3799
8075
5681
22508
5448
12429
3023
6362
14652
2887
4612
3807
4149
5862
3220
8109
7354
18604
4114
16703
7730
13279
14226
17815
6121
5-292
1553
5128
14476
3313
5060
1705
4183
3067
1741
1023
2981
1475
1878
7453
3228
3718
9616
10201
4422
1697
3247
3535
8225
3070
1675
6328
3682
13142
10760
11951
3945
9946
1378
1260
1695
3566
1472
5762
4535
6t8o
3626
6501
7060
2634
9348
7092
2035
759
2333
21S6
1390
3124
1090
3940
755
2330
3117
4071
1649
2704
4083
1841
7405
7674
2616
4S3
41
1828
2555
2111
1596
274
3668
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
217
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS— Concluded.
COUNTIES.
Macon
Macoupin
Madison
Marion
Marshall
Mason
Massac
McDonough.
Mc Henry
McLean
Menard
Mercer
Monroe
Montgomery-
Morgan
Moultrie
Ogle
Peoria
Perry
Piatt
Pike --
Pope
Pulaslvi
Putnam
Randolph
Richland
Rock Island
Saline
Sangamon ..
Schuyler
Scott
Shelby
Stark'.
St. Clair
Stephenson..
Tazewell
Union
Vermilion
Wabash
Warren
Washington.
Wayne
White
Whitesides ..
Will
Williamson -
Winnebago.
Woodford . .
AGGREGATK.
1870.
Total.
26481
32726
44131
20622
16950
16184
9581
26509
23762
53988
11735
18769
12982
253M
28463
10385
27492
47540
13723
10953
30708
11437
875^
6280
20859
12803
29783
12714
46352
17419
10530
25476
10751
51068
30608
27903
16518
30388
8841
23174
17599
19758
16846
27503
43013
17329
29301
18956
2539891
1860.
13738
24602
31251
12739
13437
IO931
6213
20069
22089
28772
9584
15042
12832
13979
22II2
6385
22888
36601
9552
6127
27249
6742
3943
5587
17205
97H
21005
9331
32274
14684
9069
14613
9004
37694
25112
21470
11181
19800
7313
18336
13731
12223
12403
18737
29321
12205
24491
13282
1711951
1850.
3988
12355
20441
6720
5180
5921
4092
7616
14978
IO163
6349
5246
7679
6277
16064
3234
10020
17547
5278
1606
18819
3975
2265
3924
1 1079
4012
6937
5588
19228
10573
7914
7807
3710
20180
1 1666
12052
7615
1 1492
4690
8176
6953
6825
8925
5361
16703
7216
11773
4415
851470
1840.
3039
7926
14433
4742
1849
5308
2578
6565
4431
2352
4481
4490
19547
3479
6153
3222
11728
4094
2131
7944
2610
1830.
I4716
6972
6215
6659
1573
1363I
2800
7221
5524
9303
4240
6739
4810
5133
7919
2514
10167
4457
4609
476183
1122
1990
6221
2125
{b)
26
2000
2953
12714
id
1215
2396
3316
^1310
4429
12960
32959
2972
7078
1830.
4716
3239
5836
2710
308
1675
2553
6091
1574JL5
13550
*2r
1516'
2610
3492
*5
5248
2362:
1517
1114
4828
=^49
55162
218
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
STATE LAWS
Relating to Rates of Interest and Penalties for Usury.
States and Territories.
Alabama
.Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Dakota
Delaware
District of Columbia ..
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi ....
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Ontario, Canada
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Quebec, Canada
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Territory ,
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Legal 1
Rate al-
Rate of
lowed by
Interest.
Contract.
per cent
per cent.
8
8
lO
Any rate.
6
lO
lO
Any rate.
lO
Any rate.
7
7
7
12
6
6
6
lO
8
Any rate.
7
12
lO
24
6
lO
6
lO
6
lO
8
12
6
8
5
8
6
Any rate.
6
6
6
Any rate.
7
lO
7
12
6
lO
6
lO
lO
Any rate
lO
12
lO
Any rate
6
6
7
7
6
Any rate
7
7
6
8
6
8
6
Any rate
lO
12
6
Any rate
6
Any rate
6
Any rate
7
Any rate.
6
lO
8
12
lO
Any rate
6
6
6
6*
lO
Any rate.
6
6*
7
lO
12
Any rate.
Penalties for Usury.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of principal and interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of principal.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Fine and imprisonment.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of ex. of in. above 12 per cent.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of ex. of in. above 7 per cent.
No Usury Law in this State.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of thrice the excess and costs.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of contract.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of excess above 6 per cent.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest.
Forfeiture of entire interest.
Forfeiture of excess of interest
Forfeiture of entire interest.
* Except in cases defined by statutes of the State.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
219
STATE LAWS
Relating to Limitations of Actions : Showing Limit of Time in which
Action may be Brought on the following :
States and Tbreitories.
Alabama
Arkansas
California,...
Colorado
Connecticut.
Dakota
Delaware
District ot Columbia ,
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa ,
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Ontario (U. Canada).
Oregon
Pennsylvania
-Quebec (L. Canada).
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Territory.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming.
Sealed and
Assault
Open
Notes.
Judg-
witnessed
slander,
Accts.
ments.
Instru-
&c.
ments.
Years.
Years.
Years.
Years.
Years.
I
3
6
20
10
I
3
5
lO
10
I
2
4
5
5
I
6
6
3
3
3
6
6
20
17
2
6
6
20
20
I
3
6
20
20
I
3
3
12
12
2
4
.5
20
20
I
4
6
7
20
2
2
4
5
5
I
5
lO
20
10
2
6
20
2o
20
2
S
lO
20
10
I
3
5
5
IS
I
2
15
15
IS
I
3
5
10
20
2
6
20
20
20
I
3
3
12
12
2
6
20
20
20
2
6
6
6
10
2
6
6
10
6
I
3
6
7
7
2
5
10
20
10
2
5
10
10
10
I
4
5
5
10
2
2
4
5
4
2
6
6
20
20
2
6
6
20
16
I
6
10
10
10
2
6
6
20
20
3
3
3
10
lO
I
6
rs
15
IS
2
6
6
20
20
2
6
6
10
20
I
6
6
20
20
I
5
5
30
30
I
6
6
20
20
2
6
6
20
20
I
6
6
10
6
I
2
4
10
S ■
I
2
4
5
7
2
6
4
8
8
^
5
5
10
20
2
3
6
6
6
I
5
10
10
10 1
2
6
6
20
20
I
6
IS
15
15
PRODUCTIONS OF AGRICULTURE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, BY COUNTIES.— 1870.
JOUNTIES.
Total
IinpiuveU
Latul. WoocU'iid
Number.
19. 329. 952
NuinlJL-i .
.5.061.578
other nil -I
improved
Xu I liber.
1.491. .331
Spring
Wheat.
Winter
Wheat.
iiushels. Bushels.
10.133.207!l9 99.5.198
Rye.
bushels.
2 456.578
luUiaii
Corn.
Hushels.
129.921.395
Oars.
JUishels.
12.780.851
Adams 287,926
Alexander 13,836
Bond 145,045
Boone 137.307
Brown 57,062
Bureau 398,611
(Jalhouii 37,684
Carroll 186,864
Cass 92.902
Champaign 419,368
Christian 241,472
Clark 118.594
Clay 146,922
Clinton 150,177
Coles 208.337
Cook 348.824
Crawford 105, 505
Cumberland 75,342
DeKalb 334,502
DeWitt 168,539
Douglas 147,633
DuPage 164,874
Edgar .^65,458
Kdwards ,58.912
Effingham 120,343
Fayette 187, 1 96
Ford 141,228
Franltlin 80,749
Fulton 228,132
Gallatin 49,572
Greene 175,408
Grundv... 193,999
Hamilton 88,996
Hancock 311.517
Hardin 28.117
Henderson 140,954
Henry 265,904
Iroquois... 322,510
Jackson 78,548
Jasper 90,867
Jetferson 118,951
Jersey 94,147
JoUaviess 156,517
•Johnson 57,820
Kane 240,120
Kankakee 312,18-^
Kendall 164.004
Knox 330.829
r^ake 207,77n
LaSalle 533,724
Lawrence 87,82b
Lee 322.21^
Livingston 377, 50,5
Logan 321, 70i)
Macon 205,25S
Macoupin 231.05iJ
Madison 257.032
Marion 173.081
Marshall 166,057
Mason 209, 4 5^
Massac 25.151
McDonough 261.635
McHenry 230,5tb
McLean 494.97b
Menard 134.17b
Mercer 222805.
Monroe 92.810
Montgomery 276,682
Morgan 293,45(i
Moultrie 144,220
Ogle 316.883
Peoria 170,72(t
Perry 93.754
Piatt 94.454
Pike 233 785
Pope 55.980
Pulaski 19.319
Putnam 37.271
Randolph 140.764
Richland 75.07&
Rock Island 1.55.214
Saline 72,309
Sangamon 421. 748
Schuyler 96,195
Scott 85,331
Shelby 310.179
Stark 138,129
St.Clair 231.117
Stephenson 254.857
Tazewell 229. 126
Union 7.5.832
Vermilion 360.251
Wabash 54.063
AVarrcn 266.187
Washington 177 592
Wayne 147.352
White . 92.398
Whitcsides ' 289.809
AVill I 419,442
Williamson 128.448
Winnebago 2 H.373
V/oodford 22.5,504
112.576
17.761
42,613
29,886
35,491
41,866
63,443
29.793
33.493
16,789
19.803
102,201
80,612
48,868
45,214
19,635
78,350
40,334
17,722
29,548
11,897
17,243
66,803
57,585
56.330
93.460
2,996
3,994
123.823
68,7.50
93.242
6,256
93,878
43.385
44,771
34,705
12,620
22.478
87.642
67.023
94,888
51,42'i
82.07t
3
34,646
10,978
14,244
41,56(;
21,072
48,117
72,738
12,071
12.462
17,391
18,153
81,224
89,450
61,575
r8,26i
.si, 73 Si
33,39t
52,54-,
53,29K
40,361
34.931
45.97';
83.369
47,804
t)0.217
24.783
43.643
48.666
68.470
5.978
128.953
87.754
12.51b
17,184
162.274
50,618
31.239
70.393
51,085
62,477
44,633
74.908
12.375
76.591
43.167
45.268
83 606
53.078
37.558
27 294
5.5.8.52
146.794
78.167
21.823
24.261
116.949
37,238
25.217
19,3701
16,191
1,915
2,658
25.608
15,803
2,754
33,302
6,604
58,502
19,173
5,420
5,225
8,722
3,274
17,337
27,185
5,604
6,551
17.633
7,316
3.851
14,382
830
26,206
16.786
63,976
86,710
4,076
2.565
29,653
4,505
3,343
18,480
107
14,243
31,459
63.498
5.991
12,250
778
1.363
4.5,779
79,141
399
10,598
2.283
2.5.155
24,399
2.356
3.273
7,409
41,788
408
9, 1 1 5
7,343
13,675
4,142
2,976
31,013
30
14,035
57,998
49,087
13,9.52
22,588
666
8.495
1.376
1.3.112
14.913
2,516
220
13,897
9,302
4.174
1.170
2 025
20,755
809
19,932
21,294
1,610
9,314
2.783
2.016
13.701
14,846
5,300
31,122
509
14,583
1.931
10,486
869
37.310
6.335
1.618
1.5.237
23,135
700
241,042
13,276
465.236
75
418,073
12,165
102.577
18,360
1,894
500
2,651
144,296
60
550
398,059
106,493
7,683
106,096
13,283
77
42,571
365
193,669
21,700
129
181,378
13
161,112
462,379
57,160
890
282,758
188,826
103.466
90.681
267,764
168.914
271.181
■450'. 793
120.206
198.056
55,23b
160
550
106.129
73.261
273,871
401,790
211.801
36,15:i
289,291
59
18,196
17,128
497,038
92,361
26.382
130
28,137
450
' 243. .54 i
200
89,304
56,221
lb
15.526
124.630
2,550
527,394
132,417
"1 86; 290
266
457.455
195,286
176
408.606
178,139
947.616
42,658
368.625
599
117,502
724
221,298
260
127,054
123,091
504,041
19.5.118
85,737
610.888
154.485
4,904
212,924
84,697
190
11,695
65,461
693
247,360
122.703
195,716
351,310
1,008
111,324
22.3.930
8.3,093
577,400
150
92.347
232,7.50
32.306
69,062
445
10.480
329.036
87.808
100.55^
558,367
555
92,191
325
480
1,249
7.654
221
2.193
264,134
2,260
1,339
40,96H
196,613
861,398
1,207,181
173,65:;
900
125,628
72,316
36,14ti
270
10,955
45.793
13,203
651,767
744.891
357,523
196,436
5,580
31.843
350,44(j
39.762
1057,497
70,457
44,922
796
1,031,022
150,268
2,279
83.011
247,658
165.721
266.105
452,015
1,'562 621
2. 1 1 8
72.410
180.231
249.558
202.201
5.712
672,486
164,689
184,321
264
1,996
170,787
2.468
108,307
20,989
30
6,240
35,871
4,742
43,811
186
25,721
2.772
45,752
10,722
7,308
3,221
1,619
8,825
20.171
15,497
14,798
21,018
11 540
9,017
7,532
37,508
528
19,759
25,328
11,577
5,195
131,711
512
415
4,931.
11.672
133,533
865
96,430
35,766
23,25iJ
524
9,16.T
5,934
7.185
2,46b
23.618
12,93c
5,16:-
113.547
5.871
48.30b
1,121
14,82!-
26,16::
37.232
29,22:i
2.404
3.68.^
1'4,511
36,135
49,18X
54-1
52.401
29,26 ;
39.82-4
4.28:-
40.77f
1,42."
3,29e
.5,53."
6.670
157,50-1
99.50-J
l.Olt
9.24b
25.30:;
2.309
22-.>
7.701
:3,235
3.401
20,003
568
23,073
20.841
930
23.686
30.534
1.008
135.362
59.027
1.737
52,476
72.212
2,576
8,665
418
31.658
8.030
6.228
137,985
20.426
1,452,905
244,220
1,064,0.52
466,985
337.769
3.030.404
234,041
1,:367 965
1,146,980
3.924.720
1,88:5,336
614,582
1,019,994
813.257
2,13:3.111
570,427
581.964
40:J,075
1.023.849
1.311.635
1,680,225
331,981
2,107,615
352,371
620.247
962,525
565,671
65:j.209
1,508,763
509,491
1,051.313
295,971
735, 25J
1,510,401
172.651
1,712,901
2,541,68:1
799,811-
611,951
461,345
887,981
519,120
1,286,326
34:3,29b
674,33:1
637.39!
681.26'r
2,708,3U
517,35::;
3,077.02b
656. 3ti:
1,656.97b
1.182.691
4,221, 64(
2.214.46b
1.051.544
2.127,.549
1.034.057
1.182,90:^
2,648.721
13:3,12b
1.362.491
1,145.00S
3.723.375
1,973 88'
2,054.96',:
543,71b
1., 527, 898
;3, 198, 835
1,753.141
1,787,066
969,224
384.44b
1,029.725
1,399.18b
31.5.95b
195,73.':
334,259
510.081-
482.594
1,459.653
.531.51b
4,388.763
440,975
752.771
2.082.578
1,149 878
1,42:3.121
1.615,679
2,062,053
679,753
2,818.027
421,361
2,982,853
836.115
1,179,291
870,521
2,162,943
1,131.458
655,710
1,237.406
2.154 185
759,074
21,627
461,097
579,127
■ 70,852
987,426
26.231
775.10c
168.784
721.375
383.821
212. 62&
269.945
446.324
31.5-954
1,584.225
136,^:55
171,880
1,087,074
216,756
225,074
860.809
290,679
129,152
386,07:}
497,395
154,58*
222,426
261,390
27,164
64.029
269.332
203.464
579,599
26.991
229.286
668.367
430,746
149,931
149,214
285,949
71,770
874,016
74,525
785,608
772,408
468,890
787,952
699,069
1,509,642
131,386
903,197
659.:30(>
490,226
454.648.
459,417
475,252
389.446
362,604
272,660
22,097
280,717
910.397
911.127
235.091
452.8891
152,251
668,424
198,724
263,992
141,540
334,892
338,760
1:3(1,610
161.419
67,886
16,511
86,519
414.487
204.634
276.575
69.793
397.718
119.359
13.462
637.812
316.726
476,851
960,620
50.5.841
124.4 73
436.051
110,793
601.054
533.398
■ 404,482
119.653
880 838
1,868 682
180.986
868,903
744,581
PLEASANT GROVE IP.
HISTORY OE COLES COUNTY.
HISTORY is the camera througli which we view the events of countries
and people. It records the noble deeds of the soldier and the states-
man, and stands the proud monument of a country's greatness. It is history,
sacred though it be, that tells us of the glory of Eden, and the purity and
happiness of the first pair in its Elysian fields, and likewise of their trans-
gression and fall. And through the sixty centuries that have passed since the
world's dawn, it is history that presents to us, whether in types, in hieroglyph-
ics or in tradition, all that we know of men and things past. The events
which constitute the annals of a country are matters of at least some local
interest, and be that country ever so "beautiless, barren and bleak," it con-
tains something of sufficient importance to be engraved upon the pages of
history. How much more important, then, that the fertile region of which we
propose to treat in these pages should become a matter of record, and form a
part of the history of a great State and a great country.
A history of Coles County is a part of the history of America. Every
portion of a thing goes to make up and becomes a part of the whole. The
population of this county constitutes a part of the forty millions of American
citizens who people this country, and their absolute wealth and prosperity make
a part of our national wealth and material greatness. The intelligence of its
people form a part of our intelligence as a nation. The patriotism and self-
sacrificing devotion of its sons, the gallantry and prowess of its soldiers on a
hundred battlefields, are no mean part of the pride and glory of this great
American nation.
The age of Coles County (as such) is two years less than half a century,
but the date of its settlement extends back nearly a decade beyond. its organi-
zation as a county. Within that time, the events that have transpired and the
scenes that have been enacted upon its soil, will be the subject-matter of these
pages. Taking it from the time of its occupancy by the Indians, we will
endeavor to trace its progress from that wilderness state to the present period
of its wealth and prosperity. Its growth has been rapid and wonderful beyond
the wildest dreams of the pioneers who first set foot within its borders.
The present territory of the county was formerly a part of the State of
A^irginia, and ceded by her to the United States in 1784, and was called the
Northwest Territory. Virginia Avas the home of the " Father of his Country,"
224 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
and prides herself still on being the mother of the nation's best Presidents ; so
Coles County comes of no ignoble ancestry. In 1778, Virginia organized
what is now Illinois into one county, which, some years later, received the name
of St. Clair, from the then Governor of the Northwest Territory. In 1809,
Illinois was organized into a separate Territory, and was composed at the time
of two counties — St. Clair and Randolph. After this, Madison was set off
from St. Clair, and Crawford was afterward set off from Madison. When
Illinois was received into the sisterhood of States, in 1818, there were but
fifteen counties, of which Crawford was one. This county was named for Hon.
William H. Crawford, who was reputed an honest man, and a safe custodian of
public money ; for under the administration of Madison and Monroe he was
Secretary of the Treasury, and also a candidate for the Presidency in the
Adams and Jackson campaign of 1824. During the year 1819, Clark County
was set off from Crawford. It then embraced a large extent of territory run-
ning up the valley of the Wabash, and far beyond, even to the Canada line,
or British possessions. Clark County was named in honor of Gen. George
Rogers Clarke, a native of Virginia, and a pioneer warrior of considerable
celebrity. In 1779, more than a quarter of a century before the organization
of Illinois into a separate Territory, he organized an army in Virginia, and
marched it across the Alleghany Mountains to the Ohio River. A few years
later, the world rung with the mighty achievement of Napoleon crossing the
Alps with a great army, but to our mind, the deed no more than equaled that
of Clarke in crossing the Alleghanies and traversing a wilderness with his little
band of soldiers, beset and harassed by hostile savages. He had never seen a
steamboat nor heard of a railway-train, but he understood war and the trans-
portation of an army. He built rafts, and on them shipped his soldiers down
the Ohio to the spot where Shawneetown now stands, and then by forced
marches through swamps and marshes filled with water, often knee-deep to his
men, he moved them across the country to Kaskaskia and captured that
important post from the British. But all this belongs to State history.
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
Coles County was set off from Clark in 1830. It then embraced in its
territory what is now Cumberland and Douglas Counties. Upon its organiza-
tion, it was christened Coles, in honor of Edward Coles, the second Governor of
the State, and elected to that position in 1822. As a general rule, it is not
safe to name a child or country for any man while he is yet living, though he
be a very Solomon, for we know not how soon he may fall. There is no secu-
rity for a good reputation but in the tomb. This side of that "bourn" the
proudest name, the most exalted reputation may totter and fall to pieces. In
this respect, however. Coles County's namesake died with a name untarnished.
Edward Coles was a man eminently fit to give a name to any country. He
was a native of Virginia, rich, and a large slave-owner, and when he emigrated
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 225
to Illinois he brought his slaves with him. A man who loved liberty, its fires
lighted up his soul, and its benign influence dictated his action and inspired
him with pure purposes and prompted him to noble deeds. Of all other men,
he demanded respect for his rights, and to the rights and personal liberty of all
other men he accorded the same profound respect. On reaching Illinois and
becoming a citizen of the State, he set his slaves all free, and, in addition, gave
each head of a family among them 160 acres of land. Such was the laAv at that
time, that a man setting a slave free in Illinois, must give a bond that it should
never become a public charge. To this very unsavory requirement of the law.
Coles failed to yield obedience, for which little delinquency his case was adju-
dicated by the courts, and he was fined |2,000. This fine he was never required
to pay, and the cause which gave rise to it will never give rise to another of a
similar character in Illinois, in the civilized ages to come.
Coles County, at the time of its organization, was some twenty-eight miles
east and west, and about fifty miles north and south, but at that time, as already
noted, it included Douglas and Cumberland Counties. At present, it is bounded
on the north by Douglas County, on the west by Shelby and Moultrie Coun-
ties, on the south by Cumberland, and on the east by Clark and Edgar Coun-
ties. It embraces twenty-four sections of Township eleven north, and all of
Townships 12 and 13, and eighteen sections of Township 14 north, in
Ranges 7, 8, 0, 10 and 11 east, and a part of Range 14 west. Range 11
east in this county is fractional, being only three-fourths of a mile wide. In
the southeast part of the county there is a "jog " in the east line of three sec-
tions wide east and west, in Range 14 west, and seven sections long north and
and south, in Townships 11 and 12 north. When Coles County was set off
from Clark, the latter was unwilling to give up that portion of its territory
and inhabitants to a new county. The reason of this is found in the fact that
it embraced the best portion of that county, and a settlement of energetic and
intelligent people. In the north line of the county, there is also a "jog" of
two miles north, in Ranges 11 east and 14 west. This was made to retain
the village of Oakland in this county, when Douglas County was created. That
village was then regarded as having great room for outgrowth and development.
This county was unwilling to give up that portion of its territory, and the peo-
ple of that village were unwilling to be given over to a new county organiza-
tion. Coles County is situated in latitude 40 north and in longitude 11
west from Washington, and embraces about five hundred square miles. Its
general surface is undulating ; not so level as to be regarded flat, nor so broken
as to be considered mountainous or even hilly. It forms a beautiful plateau or
table-land, and is about eight hundred feet above the level of the Gulf of Mex-
ico. It is largely prairie, and constitutes a part of what is known as the Grand
Prairie. This prairie is perhaps as large in extent, as rich in soil and as
magnificent, originally, in nature's waving fields as anv in the Mississippi
Valley.
226 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
In the topography of the county, the prairies form rather a notable feature.
The oriofin of these great plains has been a source of much speculation. One
theory is that the soil resulted from the decomposition of vegetable matter un-
der water, and that the attending conditions were incompatible with the growth of
timber. According to this view, prairies are at present in process of forming
along the shores of lakes and rivers. During river freshets, the heaviest parti-
cles settle nearest the channel, and here, by repeated deposits, the banks first
became elevated above the floods. These natural levees becoming sufiiciently
high, are overgrown with timber, and inclose large areas of bottom lands back
from the river, by which they are frequently inundated. The waters on these
flats, when the flood subsides, are cut ofl" from the river and form sloughs, fre-
quently of great extent. Their shallow and stagnant Avaters are first invaded
bv mosses and other aquatic plants which grow under the surface and contain
in their tissues lime, alumina and silica, the constituents of clay. They
also subsist immense numbers of small moll usks and other diminutive creatures,
and the constant decomposition of both vegetables and animals forms a stratum
of clay corresponding Avith that which underlies the finished prairies. As the
marshy bottoms are, by this means, built up to the surface of the water, the
mosses are then intermixed with coarse grasses, which become more and more
abundant as the depth diminishes. These reedy plants, now rising above the
surfiice, absorb and decompose the carbonic-acid gas of the atmosphere, and con-
vert it into woody matter, Avhich at first forms a clayey mold, and afterward
the black mold of the prairie."*
As we have said, the prairies form a notable feature in the topography oi
the county, the soil in them being invariably deep, rich and productive. The
original prairie grass grew very rank, often higher than a man's head.
As a rule, the prairies occupy the high land and the timber the low land,
though there are some exceptions to this. Timber abounds in the county, but
is mostly confined to the valleys of the water-courses. The varieties consist of
all the kinds of oak, hickory, Avalnut, elm, maple or sugar tree, cottonwood,
hackberry and perhaps some others. There are still some very fine sugar
orchards in the valley of the Embarrass River. Speaking of these sugar
orchards and the excellent timber of the county calls to mind a stanza from the
compositions of a local poet of Northern Illinois on a similar subject :
" The timber here is very good —
The forest dense of sturdy wood ;
The maple-tree its sweets affords,
And walnut, it is sawn in boards ;
The giant oak the asman hails —
Its massive trunk is torn to rails ;
And game is plenty in the State,
Which makes the hunter's chances great.
The prairie wolf infests the land.
And the wildcats all bristling stand."
*Davidson'8 History oJ Illinois.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 227
As fine poetical thought, the above effusion is of rather limited merit, but
as descriptive of this country fifty yeai's ago, the picture it presents is a very
true one. jNIany years ago, in the settling-up of this part of the country, tim-
ber was regarded as quite an object. Every land-owner Avas^f the opinion he
must have a piece of timber-land. It was believed that the settlement and im-
provement of the country would render it eventually scarce. At one time, tim-
ber-land sold more readily, and for a higher price than prairie. Such, how-
ever, is not now the case, and a hulf-century of experience finds still an abun-
dance of timber for all practical purposes..
Beautiful lakes, high mountains and large rivers, are not characteristic of
Coles County. But two streams entitled to the name of river, enter its borders,
viz., tlie Embarrass and the Kaskaskia. The latter is better known in this
section of the country as Okaw, but nearer its mouth it is called Kaskaskia
altogether. The Embarrass, or Ambraw, as it is almost universally pi'onounced,
is a beautiful stream. It rises in Champaign County, flows through Douglas
and this county from north to south, and makes a tributary of the Wabash. It
is the dividing line between Morgan and Oakland Townships, Charleston and
Ashraore, and Pleasant Grove and Hutton Townships. Before the days of rail-
ways and lightning news-carriers, this river was navigable, for an early statute
of Illinois so declared it to be. During the time the law was in force, numer-
ous vessels were built on this river, at a point near what is noAv known as
Blakeman's Mill, and Avhich went by the high-sounding name of the " boat-
yard." Some of these vessels Avent doAvn and out of the Embarrass, and down
the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans, and others foundered in the
" Dark Bend," a spot Avhere the sun never shines, except at high noon. These
vessels were called flatboats, and were usually loaded with the surplus products
of the country, consisting of such articles as would be of small loss if they never
reached a market. This stream abounds in fine varieties of fish, viz., bass, cat,
buffalo, pike and many others. The Okaw meanders through the township of
Okaw, in the northwest part of the county. It is a dull, sluggish, running
stream. The water is muddy, has not sufficient action to clear and purify
itself of " wiggle-tails," and other such " vermin." Under the law, it, too, was
a navigable river for shallow water-craft, and is a tributary of the " Father of
Waters." There are two other streams Avhicli have their source in this county,
both of which are too small to be called rivers, and rather large to be styled
creeks. Tlieyare the little Wabash and the Kickapoo, and each takes its name
from powerful tribes of Indians once dwelling in this region of country. They
begin or "head" in the immediate neighborhood of each other, but the Wabash
runs to the southwest and the Kickapoo to the cast. There is also a small
stream in Morgan Township, rejoicing in the oily appellation of Greasy Creek,
which possesses some notoriety, by reason of the peculiar manner it acquired
its name. In the pioneer days, hogs were "mast" fatted altogether, and in
that neighborhood many hogs were stolen and butchered. It was the custom
228 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
of the people, before turning their hogs on the "mast," to give them certain
ear-marks, by which each man was enabled to identify his own hogs. To destroy
the evidence of ownership, the thieves would cut off the heads of the hogs
stolen, and throWpthem into this creek. The decomposition made the water
greasy, hence the name Greasy Water or Greasy Creek. On one occasion, these
pioneer pork-packers were overtaken in a deep ravine in the woods killing
hogs. When discovered, they were in the act of " scalding" a lot, but their
heads hud been cut off as usual. When asked why they took the heads off at
so early a stage of the proceedings, they answered that they " never could get a
good scald on a hog while his head Avas on." In Ashmore Township is a creek
that bearing the perfumed name of Pole Cat, so called from the great numbers of
popular feline pet, to be found in an early day, in its immediate vicinity. This
classic stream, like Greasy Creek, also has its legend. The following story is
told in connection with the origin of its name : A new-comer to the neighbor-
hood, encountered one of these little monsters on the banks of this stream. In
the combat that ensued, he learned through practical demonstration the start-
ling power of " this kind of a cat " to defend itself when assailed by an enemy.
The new-comer was so overwhelmed with the success of the animal's defense,
that he buried his clothes on the battle-ground, and returned home in the cos-
tume of the Georgia Major, minus the spurs and the paper collar, and there-
upon christened the stream by the name of Pole Cat. In the township of Hut-
ton there are two small streams called respectively Whetstone and Hurricane ;
in Pleasant Grove are also two little streams, Indian and Clear Creeks, and in
East Oakland, Brush Creek.
In the county are numerous groves, or small bodies of timber, isolated from
the main timber. What circumstances gave rise to their growth, or how long
they have been growing, is not within the knowledge of those now living.
Dodge Grove is in Mattoon Township, about two miles northwest of the city,
and takes its name from this circumstance : In the early days, there lived a
family near it, of the name of Whitley, and they owned a race-mare, known as
the " Dodge Filly." On a notable occasion they took her to Springfield to the
races. These races took place twice a year, called the spring and fall meetings.
They staked the filly on a race, and lost. Being loath to give her up, they run
her off and concealed her in this grove for three weeks. The party winning
the mare came in search of her, and had the officers of the law to scour the
country, but they failed to find her. Thus the filly dodged capture, and the
grove captured the name of Dodge. Dead Man's Grove is in La Fayette Town-
ship, on the north branch of Kickapoo Creek, and was formly called Island
Grove. It took its present name from the fact that a man Avas found dead
in the grove in March, 1826, supposed to have frozen to death. There was
snow on the ground at the time, and, when found, the corpse was *' sitting at
the root of a tree with a bridle thrown over the shoulders." The man's name
was Coffman, and he lived in the Sand Creek settlement. He was carried by
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 229
Samuel Kellogg on horse-back, without coffin or escort, to the Parker settle-
ment, on the Embarrass, for inquest and burial. Seven miles north and west
of Charleston, in Hickory Township, standing out in the open prairie, are
what is called the Seven Hickories. They acquired that name because formerly
there were just seven hickory trees constituting all there was of the grove, and
what seems somewhat singular is, that hickory is a species of timber that never
grows in the prairies. The original trees have paid the debt of nature, but a
numerous progeny still survive. In Humbolt Township near the village of the
same name, on a little stream called Flat Branch, is the Blue-Grass Grove. It
was formerly a camping-place of the Indians, and their ponies ate out the wild
grass, when the blue-grass, as it invariably does in this country, sprang up spon-
taneously in its place. It thus became the first blue-grass " patch " in the
county, and hence the name of Blue-Grass Grove. The Dry Grove and Buck
Grove are near neighbors, and are about four miles south of Mattoon. The
great number of deer, of the antlered sex, killed by the pioneer sportsmen
gave rise to the name of the Buck Grove. Dry Grove has borne that name
from time immemorial. It is supposed to have been named by the "first man,"
and that, too, in a dry time, otherwise its name would have been diff'erent, and
more appropriate. In the south part of the county, in the town of Pleasant
Grove, is a prairie called Goose-Nest Prairie. The inhabitants have always
been proud of the title, but the rest of the world seem amused at the novelty of
the name, and the people's peculiar pride of it. About the year 1827, a
pioneer, named Josiah Marshall, was looking at the country, and coming into
this prairie from the summit of a knoll in its midst, observing on one hand trees
literally dripping with wild honey, and on the other, nature's waving meadows,
and beneath him a soil, deep, rich and productive, and probably having in his
mind's eye the peculiar richness of a goose egg, in an ecstacy of delight
exclaimed in an uplifted voice, " this is the very goose-nest." It has since
borne the name. Just west of this prairie, in the the same township, is a point
of timber known as "Muddy Point," but has no significance in history, save
the peculiar appropriateness of the name. In the east part of the county is a
portion of a prairie called Parker's Prairie, so-called from George Parker, its
original settler.
^ EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Prior to 1824, what is now Coles County was a wilderness waste, unin-
habited by civilized man. If any pale-face before that time had ever come
within its borders as an actual settler, it is not known whence he came, who he
was or whither he went. The red man of the forest held high carnival over
the land, his camp-fires were seen in the distance, and it was his war-whoop
and his death-song that broke the stillness, while his wigwam was the only
specimen of a habitation made with human hands. Old Bruin reigned king of
the wild beasts ; the panther screamed, the wolf howled, and the gray-eyed owl
hooted without the presence of civilized man to " molest or make them afraid."
230 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
The forest was undisturbed except by the bhizc of the tomahawk, and the soil
untrodden, save by the wild beast and the savage and his pony. A half-century
or more, Avhite people have witnessed the grand march of civilization over this
land, and to-day scarce a trace is left of the former presence of the aborigines
of the country. In 1824, the first settlement was made in Coles County, by
men whom God made white, and blessed with the light of civilization. Of the
first emigrants, but few remain. Most of them have paid nature's last great
debt, and the memories of those remaining are so impaired by age that but few
facts can be obtained. The first settlers came from Crawford County on the
Wabash River, where they had lived many years, building and dwelling in
forts, and skirmishing with the Indians. As pioneers, they possessed an exten-
sive experience. They were John Parker and his sons, among whom were
Daniel, Benjamin, Silas, George and James Parker and families, and Samuel
Kellogg and his Avife Mary, in all fourteen souls, the latter of whom alone is
livino-. The Parker's were formerly from Tennessee, and were good old-fash-
ioned people. They dressed plain, lived rough and seemed to love the hard-
ships and to delight in the adventures incident to the settlement of a new
country. The soldier who leaves his home, sunders the ties of affection and
bids adieu to loved ones, to do battle (or his country, deserves well of its people.
So, too, the pioneer, who goes out from the home of his childhood, leaving
behind him the hallowed associations of youthful days, and the cherished objects
of love and aifection, hewing his way into the wilderness, and there settles down
to build up a new country, and open a highway for civilization, is also worthy
of credit among his fellow-countrymen.
Benjamin Parker built the first log cabin, and thus became the first actual
settler in Coles County, fifty-five years ago. That cabin was built on the east
bank of the Embarrass River, just opposite the place where Blakeman's mill
was afterward erected, and was in what is now Hutton Township. It was a rude
affair, and a fair sample of pioneer strength and awkwardness, but nevertheless
turned the rain, broke the force of the sun's burning rays, resisted the chilling
blasts of winter, and kept out the cold, damp air of night. It also answered
the purpose of a dwelling-house, and consisted of parlor, dining-room, kitchen
and bed-rooms enough to sleep fourteen persons. The walls were of unhewn
logs, and floor of puncheons, neither hewn nor " planed." It was covered with
clapboards, weighed down with poles in lieu of being nailed ; the chimney was
made of sticks and clay, and the " back walls " and "jambs " of the same mate-
rial, except the quantity of clay was increased. The liolp to "raise" this
cabin came from Crawford County, a distance of sixty miles. In those days, a
house-raising was regarded as a " big thing " and were usually accompanied
with a quilting, wool-picking or sewing " bee," to furnish an excuse for the
women to come together for a little quiet gossip, though not perhaps, as at the
present day, to talk of Mrs. Jones' new bonnet, or Mrs. Smith's old dress
made over, or the way Mrs. Brown had her back-kiiir " fixed last Sunday."
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 231
Those little gatherings were occasions for much good eating and drinking, the
latter, however, being indulged in by the men only. And the best wrestler,
the furthest jumper, and the swiftest runner Avere the heroes, and the best
fighter wore oft' the belt, for at that early period fighting was always included
in the popular amusements of the day.
John Parker, familiarly known as " High Johnny " Parker, and the pro-
genitor of all the Parkers (of this early settlement) was a soldier of the Revo-
tionary War — one of the heroes of that long and doubtful struggle that finally
resulted in the independence of the " greatest country the sun shines on."
Samuel Kellogg, mentioned as one of this little colony, was a soldier in the
Black Hawk campaign of 1832, and has since died, but, as already stated, his
widow is still living, and at present a resident of Charleston. But of the pio-
neers of this early settlement further particulars will be given in the township
histories.
In the fall of 1824, Seth Bates and his sons, David and^John Bates, and
his stepsons, Levi and Samuel Doty, came to the county, and in the summer of
1825 made a settlement on Kickapoo Creek, in the present town of La Fayette,
These were the first inhabitants in that region, and the settlement was made on
what is now the Doctor Monroe farm. John Bobbins and William Wagner
came in a year or two later. The former put up a mill in the neighborhood,
and the latter started a tan-yard. Samuel Frost came the next year after Rob-
bins and Wagner, and was one of the first merchants in this settlement, as noted
elsewhere, and also carried the first mail through from Paris to Vandalia. In
1826, Van Eastin settled in this neighborhood; in 1828, his brother John M.
Eastin came, and their father, Charles Eastin, in 1830. The following story
is told of the Eastins, as illustrative of the proverb that " fine feathers make
fine birds," or at least are supposed to do so. John Eastin, just prior to coming
to this county, had married Miss Jennie Reed. The first Sunday they spent
in the wilderness of Coles County, they attended church rigged out in their
" wedding toggery," and their " new store clothes " created quite a sensation in
this then backwoods settlement, and elicited remarks from everybody. The
next morning before breakfast, six men came to see him to borrow money for
the purpose of buying land, supposing from his extravagant style of dress, that
he must be rich and have money to loan, when he really had but $6 to his name-
In 1828, James Phipps settled in this neighborhood. As early as 1828 or 1829,
James Ashmore, William Ewing and William Williams came in and settled
on the south side of Kickapoo.
A settlement was made in the present township of Ashmore as early as
1825. The first white people in this section were the Dudleys and La-
ban Burr, all bachelors, thus forming a kind of second Eden, as Eden was be-
fore its quiet was disturbed by Mother Eve. To trace the genealogy of the
Dudleys, it would be necessary to go back to Dudley Castle, Staffordshire, En-
gland, and begin with Earl Dudley, in the fourteenth century, following it doAvn
232 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
through a long line of nobles, of whom one of the most powerful was Robert
Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and figured conspicuously during the reign of Eliz-
abeth, the Virgin Queen of England. Their published genealogy is authentic,
giving the descent of the Dudleys here mentioned from this noble family. The
first one in the United States was Thomas Dudley, Governor of " Massachu-
setts Bay Colony." Many of his descendants held important positions in colo-
nial times, and are to be found in almost every State of the Union at the present
day. Many of them figured prominently in our struggle for independence,
and their survivors and descendants are leading citizens of the country. The
original settlers in this section were James and Guilford Dudley, and there are
still sons of these pioneers living in the township of Ashmorc, and are more par-
ticularly mentioned in that chapter. James Wells, Christopher Sousely, Jo-
seph Henry, John Mitchell, William Austin, H. J. Ashmore and John Carter
were also early settlers in this section. From them have descended some of the
solid and substantial men of the county.
The first settlement was made on " Goose-Nest" Prairie in 1829. Rev.
Daniel Barham and sons John and Nathan, and Thomas Barker, put up the
first cabin in this little paradise, in the spring of the year mentioned above.
This settlement Avas in what is now Pleasant Grove Township, and embraced
as fine a body of land as may be found in Coles County. Michael Taylor and
his son Elijah, John and Patrick Gordon, and Dow Goodman, came in the
same year, and found shelter in the same nest. Zeno Campbell, the Balahes
and others, also came during this year and entered claims on "Goose-Nest"
Prairie, or adjacent thereto. In the fall of 1830, John J. Adams, Mark
Baker and William Wayne settled in the neighborhood. The Muddy Point
settlement was likewise in Pleasant Grove Township. The first squatters here
were Isaac Francher and Buck Houchin, who pitched their tents in this local-
ity in 1827. Jack Price came in 1828 ; Joseph Glenn, Daniel Edson (not the
inventor of the phonograph), Daniel Beals and his sons, in 1829, and William
Dryden and Alfred Balch in the same year. In the fall of 1830, William
Gammill and sons, his sons-in-law, A. Balch and Isaac Odell and Abner John-
ston, came in and settled in this neighborhood.
A settlement was made on the west side of the Embarrass River, south of
Greasy Creek, in the territory now embraced in Morgan Township, in
1829-30. Daniel McAllister, Benjamin Clark and William Shattun were the
pioneers of this settlement. They were men of strong arms and brave hearts,
well calculated to brave the dangers of a wilderness. They went to Big Creek
(Edgar County) to mill, and sent their children four miles to school, and were
thankful for even such conveniences as those." The widow of Benjamin Clark
was the last survivor of these pioneers and three years ago (we do not know
whether she is still living) was a hearty and hale old lady for her time of life.
She spent eight weeks among the wolves and panthers during the winter of 1830,
with six small children, while her husband had gone back to the settlements
HISTORY OF COLES COUHTY. 233
for provisions. There are few ladies of the present day but would shrink from
such an undertaking, and it is with no disparagement to the sex that we make
the observation. Our women are as true and noble, and capable of as great
sacrifices when necessity demands them, as at any other age of the world, even
that heroic period when they severed from their heads their "golden tresses"
and wove them into bow-strings for their fathers, brothers and husbands to
defend their hearths and homes. But think of living in a wilderness for two
long, weary months alone with half a dozen helpless children, beyond the reach
of help. The bravest woman might well shrink from it.
The territory now embraced in Oakland Township contained settlements as
early as 1829. In this year Samuel Ashmore settled in this region. Soon
after his settlement, his sons H. J. and W. C. Ashmore came to the neighbor-
hood. Samuel Hogue and James Black, sons-in-law of Samuel Ashmore, set-
tled here also about the same time as those above mentioned. Where Oakland
village now stands, settlements were made by Enoch Sears, Eli Sargent, Asa
Redden and others. David Winkler and the Hoskinses settled on Brushy
Fork. At the time of these settlements, the aborigines of the country were in
possession of it, and had a village or trading-post in this vicinity. They were
friendly, however, and lived with their pale-face neighbors in peace and har-
mony. In 1831, Stanton Pemberton and his sons came to the Ashmore settle-
ment. A mill was built here at an early day by a man named Stevens, and a
few years later another was built by Redden.
The first settlement made in what is now Charleston Township was in 1826.
In that year, Enoch Glassco and sons, and J. Y. Brown, came to the county
and settled about a mile north of the present city of Charleston. In 1827, the
Parkers came from the Embarrass River Settlement and located on what is
now Anderson's Addition to Charleston. About the same time, Hiram
Steepleton and Isaac Lewis were added to the settlement. In 1829, Michael
Cossell, Jr., came to the place, and the next year his father, and brothers Isaac
and Solomon Cossell came in and made settlements. In the same year, Charles
Morton and family settled in the little community. He was an energetic and
enterprising man. He settled on what is now the Decker farm, and built a
horse-mill, upon which many a pioneer ground the meal for his " corn-
dodgers." Mr. Morton is mentioned in another chapter of this work as the
first merchant, and one of the prominent business men of the county. Jesse
Veach also settled in the present town of Charleston. He came first to Illinois
in 1824, and to Coles County in 1825. After this, he returned to Crawford
County, where he " took unto himself a wife," and, in 1831,. came back to
Coles County, where he still lives, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
John Hutton came to Illinois in 1816, and, in 1824-25, settled in what is
now Hutton Township. Says Capt. Adams, in his Centennial Address, he
"made a hand building the first cabin, heard the first prayer made and the first
sermon preached, and mourned at the first funeral in the present territory of
234 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
the county." In 1826, a settlement was made by the Parkers on what was
known as Parker's Prairie, and which lies partly in liutton Township. George
Parker and his sons Joseph, Daniel and Jephthah were the first in this immedi-
ate neighborhood, and from them this beautiful prairie received its name.
Joseph Parker killed a large bear, in 1828, near Buyess Berkley's, and many
other members of the Bruin ftimily were slaughtered in an early day by the
pioneers. Tn the fall of 1826, there was a settlement made at a place called
'* Dog Town," which was also in the present town of Hutton. James Nees
was the first settler in this section, but was very soon joined by Charles Miller
and William Cook. Joshua Painter, Hugh Doyle, James Ashby and John C.
Davis soon after made settlements in the same neighborhood. Anthony Cox,
William Waldruff and Joel Connelly settled, also, in what is now Hutton, in
1828, and Daniel Evinger soon after. The latter put up a carding-machine on
what was known as the John Flenner farm.
About 1826, a settlement was made at Wabash Point, in the present town-
ship of Paradise. The first white settler was Daniel Drake. In 1827, Thomas
Hart and his sons settled in this neighborhood, and in July, 1828, Silas and
Adam Hart and others of the same name came to the settlement, so that if
there was any part of the country that had a heart, it was this Wabash
Point settlement. These people were a law unto themselves, and tolerated
no lawlessness in their midst. When one committed a misdemeanor, Judge
Lynch came to the front and gave to the culprit but a short shrift. In
illustration of his peremptory manner in disposing of the cases upon his
docket, the following instance is given : On a certain occasion, a man
living in the settlement was caught in the act of appropriating to himself
another's cowhide and potatoes. A court was at once organized, with
Thomas Hart, Jr., as Judge. Silas Hart was appointed attorney for the
defendant, and William Higgins and others, jurors. The trial resulted in a
verdict of guilty, and the punishment fixed at twenty -nine lashes and banish-
ment from the settlement. After the lashes had been administered, the
defendant was shown a star, in the direction of his " Old Kentucky Home,"
and bade to follow it, as did the Avise men of the East. He waited not
for the advice to be repeated, nor stood upon the order of his going ; he
went.
In 1826, Charles Sawyer made a settlement in the southern part of what
is now Mattoon Township. His family came on the next spring ; but a short
time previous to their arrival, a man named Nash came to the settlement and
occupied Sawyer's house. He injured himself one day, "carrying a log, to
make a bee-gum," from the efiects of which he died. This was the first death
in the Wabash Settlement, which Avas principally in what is now Paradise
ToAvnship, as already stated, but extended into Mattoon Township. John
Sawyer was another of the pioneers of this settlement. These are said to have
been without bread in their families as much as three weeks at a time. They
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 235
went five miles beyond Springfield to mill, and blazed the trees on the route,
in order to find their way back home, and swam the Okaw River into the bar-
gain.
About 1833, a settlement was made in the present town of Okaw. John
Whitney and four sons, William Bridgman and Jesse Fuller were the first squat-
ters in this section. Henry and Hawkins Fuller and Nathaniel Dixon came in
1835. The year previous, however, the settlement was increased by the arrival
of P. M. Ellis, the Elders and Fred. Price, these people used to splice teams
and go a day's journey to a horse-mill. In wet weather, they would go to San-
gamon River, near Decatur, or to Parker's Mill, on the Embarrass River.
EARLY FACTS AND FEATURES.
Thus we have taken a brief glance at a few of the first permanent settle-
ments made in Coles County. We have passed over the settling of the
county in thi« brief manner, in order to avoid, as much as possible, repetition.
In the township histories, which follow, the settlement of each will be taken
up and considered separately, and everything of interest will be fully and faith-
fully given, while in this chapter, matters pertaining more particularly to the
county at large will be noticed.
The pioneers of a country are always subjected to many inconveniences,
and live a hard and rough life. When immigrating to a new country, one
leaves behind all the comforts and luxuries of civilization, to endure hunger
and cold, and most of all, to brave the dangers of a wilderness. At the time
of settling this country, it was inhabited by wild beasts, and wild men but little
less savage than the wild beasts themselves. They came here poor, and for
years the struggle with poverty was a hard one. Think of a family without
bread for three weeks, and living on wild meat, potatoes and parched corn ! As
we look around us to-day, at the waving fields of "golden grain, ripening for
the harvest," the droves of cattle grazing on the rich pastures, and the almost
innumerable car-loads of grain and stock shi})ped to distant points, it is hard to
realize what it was fifty years ago, and what the pioneers of that day under-
went to produce this grand transformation. In the Centennial Address of Capt.
Adams, already referred to, he says : " The early settlers were generally poor,
and livsd on Congress land. Considerable improvements were often made on
land before it was entered. The custom not to enter each other out was the
local law of the neighborhood. It sometimes occurred that entries were made
of lands by others than the actual occupants. This invariably stirred up the
righteous indignation of the settlement, and a meeting would be called, resolu-
tions adopted and a plan of operation laid out. They at once went to work,
tore down the house on the land and hauled it ofi", filled up the well, gathered
the crop, pulled up the fruit-trees and garden stuff", and removed the fences and
other improvements. And then, if the party entering another out made a fuss
about it h'? had lo climb a jack-oak or ride a rail."
236 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Not only were the people hard run to live, to " keep soul and body together,"
but when we consider the tools and implements they had to work with, we won-
der in our minds how they managed to live at all. The old "bar share" and
"Gary" plows would be objects of great curiosity to the present generation, in
this age of magnificent plows — plows that will almost turn the soil, if put in
the field, without team or driver. An old farmer told us the other day, that
for years after he settled in the neighborhood, there was but one wagon in the
settlement, and one grindstone "and upon the latter," said he, "we used to
grind our Gary plows when they become too dull to plow well." And yet we
complain of hard times I Why, we don't know the meaning of the word,
as compared to these early settlers, who broke down the barriers between
the wilderness and civilization. Again, quoting from Capt. Adams, " They
hauled hay eight miles in winter on hand-sleds, sold their horse-collars to
buy bread for their children ; rocked their babies in sugar-troughs, and stood
guard over them to keep the wolves off, and fed them on venison and wild
honey."
Nor is the credit all due to the "lords of creation," in the privations
endured in these early days. Noble women lent their presence to " gild the
gloom" of wilderness life, and cheerfully shared the toils and cares met with
in their new homes. Figuratively they put their hands to the plow, and, in
cases of emergency, did not hesitate to do so literally. They drove oxen,
assisted in planting, cultivating and harvesting the crops, besides attending to
their household duties ; and these last were much more onerous than at the
present day. Then they included the spinning and weaving into cloth, flax, cotton,
and wool. The wool was carded into rolls at the carding mill or machine, spun
into yarn on the "big wheel " by the wives and daughters, woven into cloth and
manufactured into garments by the same busy hands, for the family wear. If a
lady was so fortunate as to possess a calico dress, she was the envy of her
"set," just as the "lady of the period," who robes in satin and a "love of a
bonnet," is the envy of her less fortunate sisters at the present day. But the
half-century that has passed has made many changes, and brought us many
improvements. We have grown much older in many respects, if not wiser,
and become more extravagant in our desires and more luxurious in our tastes.
We cannot think of living on what our fathers lived on fifty years ago. Our
very appetites have changed. The "corn-dodgers" and fried bacon our parents
were glad to get, if set before us at the present day, would cause us to elevate
our "Grecian noses" to an angle of ninety degress. But this is as it should
be. We live in an age of improvement, and it is but just that all should move ou
together. It is not in a spirit of grumbling or dissatisfaction that we have fallen
into a moralizing mood, but by way of contrasting the past and present, and of
showing the grand march of improvement for the past fifty years. When we
look back over the years that are gone, at the changes and improvements wrought
in the land, we are almost ready to attribute it to the power of Aladdin's won-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 237
derful lamp. As a cap-sheaf to the reflections we have been indulging in, we
give the following gem from the "poet laureate" of Coles County :
"The old log cabin with its puncheon floor — -
The old log cabin with its clapboard door !
Shall we ever forget its moss-grown roof,
The old rattling loom with its warp and woof?
The old stick chimney of ' cat and clay,'
The old hearthstone where we used to pray ?
No! we'll not forget the old wool-wheel.
Nor the hank on the old count-reel ;
We'll not forget how we used to eat
The sweet honey-comb with the fat deer-meat ;
We'll not forget how we used to bake,
That best of bread, the old Johnny-cake! "
INDIAN HISTORY.
When the first white people came to Coles County, there were plenty of
Indians in this portion of Illinois. They were the Pottawatomies, Kickapoos
and Winnebagoes. From Davidson and Stuve's History of Illinois, which con-
tains the most complete history of the aborigines inhabiting this country, that
we have ever read, we make a few extracts with reference to the tribes that
once occupied this section of the State : " The early traditions of the Winne-
bagoes fixes their ancient seat on the west shore of Lake Michigan, north of
Green Bay. They believed that their ancestors Avere created by the Great
Spirit, on the lands constituting their ancient territory, and that their title of it
was a gift from their Creator. The Algonquins named them after the bay on
which they lived, Ween-ni-ba-gogs, which subsequently became anglicized in the
form of Winnebagoes. They were persons of good stature, manly bearing, had
the characteristic black circular hair of their race, and were generally more
uncouth in their habits than the surrounding tribes. Their language was a deep
guttural, difficult to learn, and shows that they belonged to the great Dacotah
stock of the West. Anciently, they were divided into clans distinguished by
the bird, bear, fish and other family totems. How long they resided at Green
Bay is not known. * * * * Coming down to the era of
authentic history. Carver, in 1766, found them on the Fox River, evidently
wandering from their ancient place of habitation, and approaching Southern
Wisconsin and the northern part of Illinois and Iowa, where portions of the
tribe subsequently settled, while others wandered further south. * *
* * * In the war of 1812, they remained the allies of England, and
assisted in the defeat of Col. Croghan, at Mackinaw, Col. Dudley at the rapids
of the Maumee, and Gen. Winchester, at the River Raisin. In the Winnebago
war of 1827, they defiantly placed themselves in antagonism to the authority
of the General Government, by assaulting a steamboat on the Mississippi,
engaged in furnishing supplies to the military post on the St. Peters.
" The Kickapoos, in 1763, occupied the country southwest of the southern
extremity of Lake Michigan. They subsequently moved southward, and at a
238 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
more recent date, dwelt in portions of the tcnitory on the ^Mackinaw and Sanga-
mon Rivers, and had a village on Kickapoo Creek, and at Elkhart Grove. They
Avere more civilized, industrious, energetic and cleanly than the neighboring
tribes, and, it may also be added, more implacable in their hatred of the Ameri-
cans. They were among the first to commence battle, and the last to submit
and enter into treaties. Unappeasable enmity led them into the field against
Gens. Harmer, St. Clair and Wayne, and they were first in all the bloody
charges at Tippecanoe. They were prominent among the Northern nations,
wdiich, for more than a century, waged an exterminating war against the Illinois
Confederacy. * * * * When removed from Illinois, they still retained
their old animosities against the Americans, and went to Texas, then a province
of Mexico, to get beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. They claimed
relationship with the Pottawatomies, and perhaps with the Sacs and Foxes, and
Shawn ees.
'• The Pottawatomies are represented on early French maps as inhabiting
the country east of tlie southern extremity of Lake Michigan. At the mouth
of the St. Joseph, falling into this part of the lake, the Jesuits had a mission-
ary station, which, according to Marest, was in a flourishing condition as early
as 1712. Here, an unmeasured distance from civilization, for more than half a
century, the devoted missionaries labored for their spiritual weltare. These
years of toil and self-denial were, however, little appreciated ; for, in Pontiac's
war, th^y proved themselves to be among the most vindictive of his adherents.
Disguising their object under the mask of friendship, they approached the
small military post located on the same river, and, having obtained ingress, in
a few minutes butchered the whole of the garrison except three men. From
this locality, a portion of the tribe passed around the southern extremity of the
lake into Northeastern Illinois. Time and a change of residence seem not to
have modified their ferocious character. Partly as the result of British intrigue,
and partly to gratify their thirst for blood, they perpetrated, in 1812, at Chi-
cao"0, the most atrocious massacre in the annals of the Northwest. After their
removal from Illinois, they found their way to the Indian Territory, and, in
1850, numbered 1,500 souls."
The foregoing extracts give a pretty authentic history of the tribes that
claimed this county fifty years ago as a part of their hunting-grounds. There
is much in the nature of the Indian to loathe and abhor, and there is, too,
much to pity and deplore. They claimed this great country, originally, by
right of possession, if not of discovery, and it was no more than human nature
that they should maintain their right to it to the last extremity. From a lack
of civilization, they committed acts of barbarity shocking in the extreme, but,
to a certain extent, excusable througli ignorance of the "higher law" of
humanity ; and even their deeds of cruelty, barbarians though they were, were
often equaled by their more civilized but little less barbarous white neighbors.
In an early day, we are told, they had a trading-post near where the village of
CHARLESTON
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 211
Camargo now stands. In was established by two French Canadians, we believe,
named Vesor and Bullbery. They also had a cemetery, or burying-ground in
this vicinity, and, once a year, a grand powwow was held within its precincts.
They were friendly toward the whites then sparsely scattered through the
country, and, in their limited and ignorant Avay, religious. Says Capt. Adams
in the address several times referred to in these pages : " Their ideas of heaven
and hell they represented on dressed deerskins. On one side was painted a
huge fire, and toward it some Indians going with bottles in their hands. This
was a representation of hell, or the bad hunting-ground. On the other side
were painted beautiful woods, abounding with deer, looking pleasant, and
Indians going that way, dressed finely and seemingly happy. This was heaven,
or good hunting-ground." The following legend belonged to the Pottawato-
mies, and formed the basis of their theology and origin : "They believe in two
Great Spirits — Kitchemenedo, the good or benevolent spirit, and Matche-
monedo, the evil spirit. Some have doubts which is the most powerful ; but
the great part believe that the first is — that he made the world and called all
things into being, and that the other ought to be despised. When Kitche-
monedo first made the world, he peopled it with a class of beings who only
looked like men; but they were perverse, ungrateful, wicked dogs, who never
raised their eyes from the ground to thank him for anything. Seeing this,
the Great Spirit plunged them, with the world itself, into a great lake and
drowned them. He then withdrew it from the water and made a single man, a
very handsome young man, who, as he was lonesome, appeared sad. Kitche-
menedo took pity on him and sent a sister to cheer him in his loneliness. After
many years, the young man had a dream which he told to his sister. ' Five
young men,' said he, ' will come to your lodge-door to-night to visit you. The
Great Spirit f )rbids you to answer or even to look up and smile at the first
four ; but when the fifth comes, you may speak and laugh and show that you
are pleased.' She acted accordingly. The first of the five strangers that
called was Usama, or tobacco, and, having been repulsed, he fell down and
died; the second, Wapako, or a pumpkin, shared the same fate; the third, Esh-
kossimin, or melon, and the fourth, Kokees, or the bean, met the same fate;
but when Tamin, or Montamin, which is maize, presented himself, she opened
the skin tapestry door of her lodge, laughed very heartily, and gave him a
friendly reception. They were immediately married, and from this union the
Indians sprang. Tamin forthwith buried the four unsuccessful suitors, and
from their graves there grew tobacco, melons of all sorts, and beans ; and in
this manner the Great Spirit provided that the race which he had made should
have something to offer him as a gift in their feasts and ceremonies, and also
something to put in their akeeks, or kettles, along with their meat." *
Davidson, in his history of Illinois, speaking of the psychology of the
Indians, says : " Prominent among these was the idea that every natural
» Schoolcraft.
242 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
phenomenon was the special manifestation of the Great Spirit. In the rautter-
ings of the thunder-cloud, in the angry roar of the cataract, or the sound of the
billows which beat upon the shores of his lake-girt forests, he heard the voice
of the Great Spirit. The lightning's flash, the mystic radiance of the stars,
were to him familiar displays of a spirit-essence which upheld and governed all
things, even the minute destinies of men ; while the Indian attributed these to
the Great Spirit, an antagonistical deity Avas created in his theology, whom he
regarded as the potent power of malignancy. By this dualty of deities, he
was careful to guard his good and merciful God from all imputations of evil
by attributing all the bad intentions and acts which afflict the human family to
the Great Bad Spirit." '
The Indians, it is said, never killed a wolf. Old pioneers say that they
held that the wolf, like the Indian, made its living by hunting, and, therefore,
it would be wrong and cowardly to kill it. Even their dogs would not molest
a wolf, and the ravenous little savages would follow a band of Indians for hours
to pick up any dead or wounded game left by them along their route. Mr.
Brown, of Ashmore, relates a circumstance that occurred near his father's, of
an Indian who, in a frenzy of religious excitement, shot and killed a warrior.
He was, by the tribe, considered crazy, and taken to a grove near by and tied
to a tree (rather a novel insane asylum, and as it proved an ineffectual one), from
which the Indian succeeded in making his escape. The incident is more
particularly referred to in the history of Ashmore Township.
Coles County claims its Indian battle-grounds. Though she can make no
pretensions to any such memorable battles as Tippecanoe or the River Raisin,
there is a tradition (but somewhat dim and misty) of two battles with the
Indians fought on the " sacred soil" of Coles County, at or very near the same
place. As the story goes, the first occurred in 1815, between a corps of
Government surveyors, protected by a sufficient guard of armed men, and a
large band of Indians. The whites were encamped on the Embarrass Hills, a
little distance west of Blakeman's Mill, and, in addition to being well armed,
were protected with artillery. The Indians, in their usual style of battle-array,
attacked them upon the flank, and with blood-curdling war-whoops threw the
engineers and their guard (for a time) into confusion. They soon rallied, how-
ever, and ascertaining the enemy's position, formed their line of battle and
opened upon them with their artillery. A general engagement followed, which
continued some time with great severity, finally resulting in the defeat of the
Indians, with considerable slaughter. This is the prevailing tradition, but how
much of it is true, we are unable to say.
The other battle referred to occurred in 1818, between the "Illinois
Rangers," under command of Gen. Whiteside, a pioneer Indian fighter, who
figured conspicuously in his day in the Indian wars of Illinois, and a large
band of Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, and Winnebagoes. The Indians had col-
lected in force in the Upper Embarrass country, and proceeding to the Kas-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 243
kaskia settlement, committed many depredations among the scattered settlers.
Among other things, they stole and drove off a large number of horses and
cattle. Gen. Whiteside, then in command of the Illinois Kangers, as they
were called, followed their trail to the site of the Blakeman Mill, where
it crossed the Embarrass River. Near this point, the Rangers came up with
the Indians, and at once prepared to give them battle. Skirmishers were
thrown out, and a line of battle formed. A charge was ordered, and a shout
from the Rangers was answered by one from the savages, and the neio-h-
boring hills soon echoed with the roar of battle. For some time the fight
raged fiercely, but the Indians were defeated and the captured property re-
taken. How many were engaged on both sides, and the losses sustained
by each, are not known. Like the account given of the battle with the Gov-
ernment surveyors, it is traditional. The trees in the neighborhood, however,
show signs of war, we have been told, and the scars made upon them with
fire-arms have been seen by many living witnesses. But these little " scrim-
mages " between the white and red races on the soil of Illmois are long past,
and in a few years more there will be none left who remember the red man's
wigwam within the borders of the State.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
It has been said by a late writer that " the native American mind tends as
naturally to self-government as the duck takes to the water." The organiza-
tion of new counties into corporate bodies with legal existence, while yet there
are but a few hundred voters within their limits, is proof positive of the trite
remark. In 1830, the population of this part of the country had increased
to such an extent (for a wilderness) that the people began to think of forming
a new county. What is now Coles County was then a part of Clark, as we
have already stated, and Darwin, the county seat, was remote from the settle-
ments of this region. In the year above mentioned (1830), a petition to the
Legislature to have Coles set off from Clark County, was circulated by Joseph
Henry, George Hanson and Andrew Caldwell. During the session of 1830-31
the act was passed by the Legislature creating the new county, which em-
braced in its limits, as mentioned in the beginning of this history, the pres-
ent counties of Coles, Cumberland and Douglas. The following is the act
of organization :
Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General As-
sembly, That all that tract of country within the following bounds, to wit : Beginnino' at the
northeast corner of Section Four, in Township Sixteen north, in Range Fourteen west of the
second principal meridian; thence west on the line dividing Townships Sixteen and Seventeen,
to the eastern boundary of Range Six, east of the third principal meridian ; thence south on
said line the line dividing Ranges Six and Seven, the eastern boundaries of Macon and Shelby
Counties, to the southwest corner of Clark County, Township Nine north, Rano-e Six ; thence
east on the line dividing Townships Eight and Nine, to the southeast corner of Section Thirty-
one, the east boundary of fractional Range Eleven east; thence north on said line, which is the
division between fractional Range Eleven and Range Fourteen, to the northeast corner of Section
244 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Nineteen, in said Range Eleven, in Township Twelve north ; thence to the northeast corner of
Section Twenty-one, in said Township Twelve, and Range F'ourteen ; thence north on sectional
lines, the center of said range, to the place of beginning, shall form a new county, to be called
Coles.
Sec. 2. For the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice of said county, the follow"
ing persons are appointed Commissioners, viz.: William Bowen, of Vermilion County, Jesse
Essarey, of Clark County, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford County; which Commissioners, or
fl majority of them, shall meet at the house of Charles Eastin, in said county, on the fourth Mon-
drty in January next, or within five days thereafter, and being duly sworn before some Justice
of the Peace of the State, faithfully and impartially to take into view the convenience of the
people, the situation of the present settlement, with a strict view to the population and settle-
ments which will hereafter be made and the eligibility of the place; shall proceed to explore
and carefully examine the country, determine on and designate the place for the permanent seat
of justice of the same : provided, the proprietor or proprietors of the land shall give and con-
vey by deed of general warranty, for the purpose of erecting public buildings, a quantity of
land, in a square form, or not more than twice as long as wide, not less than twenty acres. But
should the proprietor or proprietors of the land refuse or neglect to make the donation afore-
said, then and in that case the said Commissioners shall fix said county seat (having in view the
interest of the county) upon the land of some person who will make the donation aforesaid. If
the Commissioners shall be of the opinion and decide that the proper place for said seat of jus-
tice is or ought to be on land belonging to Government, they shall so report, and the County
Commissioners shall purchase one-half quarter-section, the tract set forth, in their name, for
the use of the county. The Commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice shall, so soon
as they decide on the place, make a clear report to the Commissioners' Court of the county, and
the same shall be recorded at length in their record-book. The land donated or purchased shall
be laid out into lots, and sold by the Commissioners of the county to the best advantage, and the
proceeds applied to the erection of public buildings, and such other purposes as the Commission-
ers shall direct; and good and sufficient deeds shall be made for the lots sold.
Sec. 3. An election shall be held at the several places of holding elections as now laid off
by Clark County, in said Coles County, on the Saturday preceding the first Monday in February
next, for one Sheriff, one Coroner, and three County Commissioners, for said county, who shall
hold their offices until the next general election in 1832, and until their successors be qualified.
And it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of said coiinty, and if there be none,
then the Recorder or Judge of Probate, to give at least fifteen days' notice previous to said elec-
tion, and who shall appoint the judges and clerks of said election, who shall be legal voters ; and
the returns of said election shall be made to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Recorder or Judge
of I'mbate, as the case may be, and by him, in the presence of one or more Justices of the Peace,
opened, and they jointly shall give to the persons elected Commissioilers, certificates; and that
of the Sheriff and Coroner to forward to the Governor ; which election in all other respects be
conformable to law.
Sec. 4. All courts shall be held at the house of Charles Eastin in said county, and con-
tinue to be held there until public buildings shall be erected for the purpose, unless changed to
another place by order of the County Commissioners' Court, who shall make the same a matter
of record.
SKr. 5. The Commissioners appointed to locate the county seat, shall be allowed $2 per day
each, for every day necessarily employed in locating the same, to be paid by said county.
Approved, December 25, 1830.
This act gave to Coles County a legal being, and steps were at once taken
to put the machinery of existence into operation. According to the provision
of the act creating it a county, an election was held in February, 18-31, at
Ashmore's, the only voting place in the county, and about sixty votes were cast.
At this election, George Hanson, Andrew Caldwell and Isaac Lewis were
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 245
elected County Commissioners, and constituted a County Court for the transac-
tion of county business ; a system which continued in force until the adoption
of a new State Constitution in 1848. The Commissioners mentioned in the
foregoing act to locate the seat of justice, viz., Bowen, Essarey and Barber,
met, and after a thorough investigation of all eligible points suggested, decided
on the present site of Charleston. Charles Morton and and Benjamin Parker
owned the land, and each donated twenty acres for town purposes, as provided
in the act of organization. In February, 1831, the survey was made by Thomas
Sconce, first County Surveyor, and in April of the same year, the first sale of
lots was made. The Commissioners gave the name of Charleston to the county
seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the men who donated twenty acres of
land to the county. Feeling under some obligations to Mr. Morton for the
assistance he rendered them while engaged in locating the town, they told his
wife that they had determined to call the place Mortonville, when she offered
an amendment to their proposition, sa;ying that if they desired to compliment
her husband in that way, to add the last syllable of Morton to Charles, and call
their town Charleston. They accepted her suggestion, and thus the capital of
the county received its name.
During the year 1831, the first Court House of Coles County was erected^
down on the " town branch," as the murky little stream is called. It was built
of hewed logs, covered with "clapboards," floored with sawdust and provided
with wood benches for seats. This served as a temple of justice until 1835,
when the brick building, still in use, was erected. Originally, it was an old-
style edifice, of the pattern still to be seen in many of the counties of Illinois^
but has been modernized, remodeled and transformed into quite an imposing
structure, with an altogether attractive appearance. It stands in the center of
a handsome square, thickly planted with maple-trees, and surrounded by a sub-
stantial iron fence. In a few years more, when the trees get their growth, the
public square of Charleston will be a beautiful spot, and an ornament to the
city.
The first Jail was a little log cabin, in the south part of the town, which, in
an early day, perhaps, served the purpose of a prison ; but in this enlightened
age-, when crime has become a science, and criminals a band of professional ex-
perts, would prove but a frail barrier between them and liberty. The present
Jail is in the Court House buildino;.
The first Circuit Court was held at the house of Col. Flenner, three miles
west of Charleston. Hon. William Wilson was the presiding Judge. This
session of Court is thus described : " The Judge sat on a log, the lawyers on
rotten chunks, and the parties engaged in litigation swung to the bushes."
James P. Jones was Circuit Clerk, and was appointed by Judge Wilson at this
session. Jones was a resident of Clark County, and his appointment to the
office of Circuit Clerk excited the just indignation of the Coles County people.
They felt themselves competent to fill any office in their county, and well qualified
246 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
to receive the salary pertaining to it ; and to have an outsider step in and relieve
them of the responsibility of trying the experiment was a blow to their pride not to
be forgiven. The first records of the Circuit Court are non sunt inventa, and
hence, few particulars of the sessions for two or three of the first years can be
obtained now. The first record-book in the Circuit Clerk's office begins with
the April term, 1835, Hon. Justin Harlan presiding.
As we have said, George Hanson, Andrew Caldwell and Isaac Lewis were
elected the ' first County Commissioners. They held the first session of their
Court in 1831, at the house of Charles Eastin, in the Kickapoo settlement, and
appointed Nathan Ellington Clerk, who thus became the first County Clerk of
Coles County. In 1832, Isaac Lewis, Andrew Clarke and James S. Martin
were elected Commissioners, and, in 1831, were succeeded by Stephen Stone,
Nathaniel Parker and Eben Alexander, who, in turn, were succeeded in 1836,
by A. N. Fuller, Alex. Miller and James S. Martin, and they by F. L. Moore,
H. J. Ashmore and James M. Ward in 1838. The records here show a change
in electing the Commissioners ; electing one each year, instead of three every
two years, and that in 1840, John Wright succeeded Ashmore ; James Gill in
1841, succeeded Moore, and William Collom succeeded Moore in 1842. In
1843, Isaac Gruell and H. J. Ashomre succeeded Wright and Gill. In 1844,
John Cutler succeeded Ashmore, F. L. Moore succeeded Collom in 1845, John
M. Logan succeeded Gruell in 1846, and F. G. Frue succeeded Cutler in
1847.
The Constitution of 1848 provided that the County Court should consist of
a County Judge and two Associate Justices. Under this new regime, W. W.
Bishop was the first County Judge, and John M. Logan and H. J. Ashmore
were chosen the first Associate Justices. This branch of the Court continued,
with frequent changes of officers, until the adoption of township organization,
which went into effect in the spring of 1860, as will be noticed under another
head. As a matter of history, and for the benefit of the reader, we append a
list of the different officers from the organization of the county, the date of
their election and the terms of their official service, as compiled by Capt.
Adams, and published in his Centennial Address. The list was prepared with
great care, is said, by those well posted, to be substantially correct, and presents
a valuable record to all who are interested in such matters, or have occasion to
refer to it. The list is as follows :
Sheriff. — At the February election of 1831, Ambrose Yocum was elected
the first Sheriff of the county, and re-elected in 1832, but died before his term
expired. William Jeffries was elected in 1834, and held two terms, when he
was succeeded by Albert Compton in 1838, who continued in office until 1846.
L. R. Ilutchason was then elected, and served two terms, and was succeeded in
1850 by" Richard Stoddert ; he was succeeded by Thomas Lytle in 1852 ; Lytle,
by John R. Jeffries in 1854, and he by H. B. Worley in 1856. Worley was
succeeded by M. Jones, in 1858 ; he by I. H. Johnston in 1860 ; John H.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 247
O'Hair succeeded Johnston in 1862, and James B. Hickox succeeded him in
1864, and, in turn, was succeeded by G. M. Mitchell in 1866, when C. C.
Starkweather was elected in 1868, followed in 1870 by A. M. Brown, who was
succeeded in 1872 by Owen Wiley, and Wiley by George Moore in 1874 ;
James M. Ashraore succeeded Moore in 1876, and he was succeeded by John
E. Brooks in 1878, the present incumbent.
Probate Judge. — James P. Jones was the first Probate Judge. At the
time of the organization of Coles County, this office was filled by appointment
of the Governor. In 1834, Jones was succeeded by John F. Smyth, and in
the same year, Smyth was succeeded by S. M. Dunbar ; he by William Collom
in 1835 ; Collom by Reuben Canterbury in 1837 ; he by John W. Trower.
Robert S. Mills succeeded Trower in 1843 ; W. W. Bishop succeeded him in
1847, and filled the office until 1857, when he was succeeded by Gideon
Edwards, who died in office in 1864. J. P. Cooper was appointed to fill the
vacancy, and, in 1865, McHenry Brooks was elected, and was succeeded in
1869 by A. M. Peterson, who was followed by W. E. Adams in 1873; and, in
1877, J. R. Cunningham, the present Judge, was elected.
County Clerk. — As before stated, Nathan Ellington was the first County
Clerk, and filled the office until 1839, when he was succeeded by Loran D.
Ellis, who soon after fled the country, and Ellington was appointed to fill the
vacancy. Ellington was followed, in 1840, by Enos Stutsman, who resigned
his office, and Samuel Huffman was appointed to fill the vacancy. Tn 1853,
James McCrory succeeded Huffman, and held the office until 1861, when he
was succeeded by Jacob I. Brown. Brown was succeeded by W. E. Adams in
1865; Adams by Richard Stoddert in 1873, and he, in 1877, by the present
Clerk, W. R. Highland.
Coroner. — Robert A. Miller was the first Coroner, and, in 1836, was
succeeded by Ichabod Radly, who canvassed the entire county on foot for the
office. (He deserved it.) Preston R. Mount followed Radly in 1838 ; A. G.
Mitchell followed Mount in 1842, and William Harr followed Mitchell in 1844.
Stephen Stone was elected in 1846, and was succeeded by James W. Morgan
in 1858, and he by S. F. Crawford in 1860 ; he, in 1861, by Dr. Samuel Van
Meter, who was succeeded by D. P. Lee in 1862, and he by A. G. Mitchell in
1864 ; Mitchell by 0. D. Hawkins in 1868 ; he by Joel W. Hall in 1870 ;
Hall by D. H. Barnett in 1872, and he by Lewis True in 1874.
Circuit Clerk. — James P. Jones, as stated, was the first Circuit Clerk, and
was succeeded by Nathan Ellington, who held the office until his death in 1855,
when his son, James D. Ellington, was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1856,
George W. Teel was elected, holding the office two terms, and, in 1864, was
succeeded by H. C. Wortham, and he by W. N. McDonald in 1872. He died
in December following his election, and A. H. Chapman was appointed Clerk
p-o tempore, and was succeeded in June, 1873, by E. E. Clark, who was suc-
ceeded, in 1877, by the present incumbent, W. E. Robinson.
248 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Recorder. — James P. Jones was the first Recorder of Coles County. He
was succeeded in the office, in 1834, by John F. Smyth, and he Ly S. M. Dun-
bar in December of the same year. Nathan Ellington received the office in
1835 ; John W. Trower in 1843 ; Ellington again in 1846, and Enos Stuts-
man in 1847, who held the office until the adoption of the new Constitution of
1848, when the office of Recorder was consolidated with that of Circuit Clerk.
Treasurer. — A. G. Mitchell was the first County Treasurer, and was suc-
ceeded by Richard Sto.ldert in 1843, who held the office until 1849, when he
was succeeded by Thomas Ly tie, and he by Jacob I. Brown in 1 851 ; Brown
by D. C. Ambler in 1855 ; he by A. Y. Ballard in 1857 ; he by Abram
Highland in 1859 ; he by D. H. Tremble in 1863 ; he by H. M. Ashmore in
1869 ; he by George Moore in 1871 ; he by W. B. Galbreath in 1873, and he
by J. F. Goar in 1877, the present Treasurer of the county.
Surveyor. — The first Surveyor of the county was Thomas Sconce, who was
succeeded by Joseph Fowler in 1835 ; he by Sconce again in 1839. Lewis R.
Hutchason was elected in 1843, and was succeeded by Thomas Lytle in 1847 ;
he by John Meadows in 1852 ; he by William A. Brun in 1855 ; he by Lewis
B. Richardson in 1859 ; he by Thomas Lytle again in 1861 ; he by James S.
Yeargin in 1864 ; he by George A. Brown in 1867 ; he by John H. Clark in
1869, and he by the present incumbent, John L. Aubert, in 1875.
School Commissioner. — Charles Morton was the first School Commissioner
of the county, and held the office until 1841, when he was succeeded by James
Alexander, and, in 1845, he was succeeded by James B. Harris ; he by H.
Mann in 1849 ; he by Gideon Edwards in 1851 ; he by James A. Mitchell,
and he by W. H. K. Pile in 1861 ; he by Elzy Blake in 1865 ; he by Rev. S.
J. Boveli in 1869 ; he by Rev. Allen Hill in 1873, and he by Prof. T. J. Lee
in 1877, who is now in office.
State's Attorney. — In 1860, J. R. Cunningham was chosen State's At-
torney for the judicial circuit of which Coles County was a part. This
position he held for four years. The new Constitution, adopted in 1870, gave
to each county an attorney. The first appointment under this new order of
things, was Col. A. P. Dunbar, who was succeeded by J. W. Craig. Robert
M. Gray is the present State's Attorney.
Legislators. — The first Representative of Coles County in the General
Assembly of the State was Dr. John Carrico, in the session of 1832. In 1834,
James T. Cunningham was a member of the Legislature from this county. He
also served in the sessions of 1837 and 1840 ; was a candidate for the Consti-
tutional Convention in 1848, and was the choice of his party for Congress in
the campaign of 1860. He came from Kentucky to Coles County in 1830,
and was a man of good judgment, liberal views, and skilled in the details of
finance. In the sessions of the Legislature of 1836-37, and in 1844, and in
1855, Col. A. P. Dunbar represented the county, and served with Lincoln and
Douglas. He gave to Douglas the name of Little Giant ; introduced the bill
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 249
for moving the capital from Vandalia to Springfield ; also a bill allowing fees
to jurors, which position had before been honorary; also a resolution asking
Congress to reduce the postage on mail matter,* and Illinois thus became the
first State to move in that direction. In the General Assemblies of 1838 and
1842, Hon. 0. B. Ficklin represented the county. He is a native of Kentucky,
but in an early day settled in Wabash County, and afterward in Coles. He
was appointed, by the Legislature, Prosecuting Attorney for this Circuit, and,
in his ofiicial capacity, once prosecuted a colored woman here for murder. She
was poor, and the other attorneys in attendance volunteered to defend her.
Mr. Ficklin closed the case in a vigorous speech, and after he sat down, the
woman observed, that she " believed in her soul dat Massa Ficklin had done
her as much harm as good in his speech." Mr. Ficklin has served several
terms in Congress, and for a long term of years as a delegate to the Democratic
National Conventions, and is at present, together with Hon. H. A. Neal, a
man of fine ability, member of the State Legislature.
In 1838, Dr. B. Monroe was elected State Senator. He was from Ken-
tucky, and came to this county in 1833, and possessed fine business qualifica-
tions. In the sessions of the Legislatures of 1836t and 1846, U. F. Snider
represented Coles County. He was born in Elizabethtown, Ky., and came to
Charleston in 1838, where he lived until 1860, when he went to Chicago.
Under the administration of Gov. Duncan, he was Attorney General of the
State. As a lawyer, he was eminent in his profession, and as a public speaker
had few if any peers in the Western country. Joseph Fowler in 1842, W. D.
Watson in 1852, W. W. Craddock in 1858,*^ Dr. John Monroe in 1862, Col. J.
M. True in 1866, and Hon. G. W. Parker in 1868, have all, honorably to
themselves, represented Coles County in the Legislature of the State. In 1870,
Hon. James A. Cunningham and Hon. A. Jeffries were the representatives;
were wise law-makers and watchful guardians of the rights of the people. In
1874, Hon. C. B. Steele and Hon. James A. Connolly represented the county,
and were able legislators. In the Congress of the United States of 1864
and 1866, Hon. H. P. Bromwell, now of Denver, Colo., but for many years
a resident of Coles County, represented this Congressional District. He was
a man of brilliant talents and a lawyer of fine ability. Dr. Thomas P. Trower
and Thomas A. Marshall were delegates from this county to the Constitutional
Convention of 1848. Col. Marshall was also State Senator in 1858, and
during his term, by right of seniority, was Lieutenant Governor.
Thus, we have noted the formation of the county, together with the differ-
ent branches of county ofiices and government, and the names of the incum-
bents of these offices down to the present time, with a brief glance at the county's
law-makers and counselors. Before passing from this part of our work, it may
be of some interest to say a few words of township organization. When the
* Postage on letters wag twenty-five cents, jiayable at the office of delivery,
fin 1836, he was living in Greenup (now Cumberland County).
250 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
county was formed, it was divided or laid off into a number of civil townships
or election precincts. The names and boundaries of these precincts we are un-
able to give, as the first record of the County Commissioner's Court cannot be
found. When the county adopted township organization in 1859, the fall of
which year the vote was taken, there were three Commissioners, viz., John
Hutton, John Monroe and James T. Cunningham, appointed to lay off the
county into townships. They accordingly divided it into twelve civil town-
ships, as follows : Hutton, Ashmore, East Oakland, Morgan, Seven Hickory,
Milton (now Humbolt), North Okaw, Mattoon, Paradise, Pleasant Grove,
Charleston and La Fayette, their boundaries and names still remaining the same
to the present time, as may be seen by reference to the map in the front part of
this work, except Milton, the name of which has been changed to Humbolt.
The first Board of Supervisors were John Hutton, Hutton Township; John Hoots,
North Okaw ; Joseph Edman, Pleasant Grove ; Milton W. Barnes, Ashmore ;
William R. Jones, La Fayette ; Richard Stoddert, Charleston ; James Monroe,
Mattoon ; A. R. Sutherland, Milton ; Samuel Rosebrough, Seven Hickory :
Nathan Thomas, Morgan ; George W. McConkey, East Oakland, and Adam
W. Hart, Paradise. The Board held its first meeting May 7, 1860, and or-
ganized by making George W. McConkey temporary Chairman, but, afterward,
James Monroe was elected permanent President of the Board. The county is
still under township organization.
MILLS, STORES, POST OFFICES, ETC.
In opening up a new country, one of the first enterprises inaugurated for
the public good is a mill, for with all the inventions of the age there has been
no discovery as yet made to enable the human family to get along without eat-
ing. We have it upon good authority that in the early times people were
sometimes without bread for three weeks in succession, but there is no evidence
that they were destitute of all other kinds of provisions at the same time. Mill
facilities, fifty years ago, were very limited in this section of the country. The
first mill of any note in the county was what is now known as the Blakeman
Mill, on the Embarrass River, and was built in 1829 by the Parkers, just fifty
years ago.* To this mill, we are informed, men came forty and fifty miles on
horseback, with a bushel and a half of corn, and it frequently was frost-bitten.
"This mill," said an old gentleman. " run all the year, except when cows came
along and drank the river dry." It may have been this thoughtless act on the
part of the cattle that suggested the introduction into the country of horse-
mills. They were a dry-weather mill, and during the dry season were kept
pretty busy. Charles Morton built one of these dry-weather mills in the
neighborhood of Charleston, in an early day, which was of benefit to a large
scope of country. One of the early mills was built on Kickapoo Creek, by a
man named Robbins, but it was a frail structure, and could only grind one grist
*It wag subsequently moved to the opposite side of tlie river and became the Blakeman Mill.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 251
of a bushel and a half of corn from Monday morning to Saturday night. A
man named Stevens built a mill in what is now Oakland Township, very early,
and soon after, Redden built one in the same neighborhood. Redden's mill is said
to have been a curiosity in its way, in this, that it had a buckwheat bolt attached.
Chadd built one a few years later, on a new plan, but without a buckwheat bolt.
If the stories told of it be true, it was a very remarkable mill, and far superior
to the mills of the present day. The proprietor boasted that on a certain occa-
sion he ground a bushel of wheat on his mill and bolted it on Redden's bolt, and
the one bushel turned out one hundred pounds of superfine flour, and two and a
half bushels of bran. (It may have been that the mill was no better than those
of the present day, but a better quality of wheat was grown then.) -But these
mills were a "big thing" in their day, as well as a useful institution of the
country.
The first store opened in the county was by Charles Morton. When he
came to the county in 1830, he brought a stock of goods with him, and opened
them out in a small pole cabin, near the present city of Charleston, and, upon
the laying-out of the town, moved within its corporate limits. He established
his store upon one of the eligible corner lots, and thus the mercantile business
was begun, not only in the county, but in its metropolis. Other stores were
opened a few years later at Kickapoo, Hitesville and other points in the
county. Morton was not long allowed a monopoly of the mercantile trade of
Charleston, but on the principle that "competition is the life of trade," soon
had plenty of company. Mr. Morton was also the first Postmaster in the
county. This fact is disputed by some, however, who claim that George Han-
son established a post office at Wabash Point some time before there was one at
Charleston. Samuel Frost carried the first mail through the county. The route
was from Paris to Yandalia, then the capital of the State.
Tan-yards were among the enterprises of the pioneer days. People then
were not ashamed to wear, but were glad to get, sfioes of home manufacture.
Many of the pioneers were sufficiently versed in the lore of St. Crispin
to make shoes, and their genius Avas called into question at the approach of
winter. To satisfy the demand for " shoe-leather," tanneries w^ere established
where the peoples' "cowhides " and deerskins were made into leather. One
of these early tanneries was established by William Wagner in the Kickapoo
settlement. Another was established at Charleston by David Eastin, which
afterward became the property of the Stodderts, and was operated by them for
years, in fact, until tan-yards went out of fashion. Carding machines were also
included among the early industries of the county. As we have stated in an-
other page, the pioneer ladies manufactured the family clothing. Nearly every
family raised a few sheep. The w^ool produced by these useful animals was
carded into rolls by these machines, when they were taken in hand by the
women, spun into yarn on the " big wheel," and then woven into cloth on the
old " rattling loom." One of the first carding-machines in the county was
252 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
established or built by John Kennedy in Charleston soon after it was laid out
as a town. Daniel Evinger built a carding machine on Parker's Prairie, about
1828, which is supposed to have been the very first institution of the kind in
the county. But these machines, tan-yards and horse-mills have long ago be-
come obsolete, the latter have been superseded by fine steam-mills, the tan-yards
by " brought-on " boots and shoes and the jeans and "linsey-woolsey" by
store goods.
Among the first blacksmiths in the county were two men of the name of
Owens and Harman, who had the first shop in Charleston. John Carter, of
Ashmore, was another of the early blacksmiths, and also P. K. Honn, who for
many years kept a shop at Hitesville. (For a beautiful tribute to this class of
mechanics, the reader is referred to Longfellow's poem entitled "The Village Black-
smith.") Other mechanics and trades-people came in, the settlements flourished
and grew prosperous upon the products of their own enterprise. In this
small and humble way, the foundation was laid for the power and greatness
enjoyed at the present day.
BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES.
As to who was the first white child born in the present territory of Coles
County, it is not possible to state definitely. As is usually the case, we hear of
a great many first ones — so many, indeed, that it is hard to decide to whom the
honor belongs. The child of Daniel Drake, whose wife has been mentioned as, at
the age of 54 years, giving birth to a child about 1826-27, was probably the first
birth in the county. Drake was one of the pioneers of the settlement at Wa-
bash Point. Another of the first births was a son of James Nees, born in
March, 1827, in the settlement now known by the poetical name of Dog Town.
Probably there are other first ones, but we have no time to look them up. Suf-
fice it, many have been born to take up the trials and troubles of earth.
" Angels weep when a babe is born,
And sing when an old man dies."
In 1824, the vear that the first settlement was made in Coles County, a
Mrs. Whitten died in the settlement on Parker's Prairie, and was the first death
of a white person in the county. James Nash, who settled at Wabash Point
in 1827, and soon after fatally injured himself carrying a heavy log of wood, as
noticed on another page, was the first death in that neighborhood. Daniel Drake
and Charles Sawyer cut down trees, split out puncheons and of them made the
coffin in which Nash was buried.
Among the early marriages may be noted that of James Jeems and a Miss
Bates, which occurred in 1827, and is said to have been the first wedding sol-
emnized in the present territory of the county. Jeems went to Darwin, on the
Wabash River, then the county seat of Clark County, for the marriage license,
as did also Levi Doty, who married soon after to a Miss Phipps. Apropos of
weddings, the following anecdote is not inappropriate to the subject. We wish
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTF. 253
to state, however, Ly way of preface to the story, that should the participants
in it take offense at having their old jokes resurrected and recorded upon the
pages of hi.story, we warn them to vent their rage upon Capt. Adams. He
furnished us the facts, and we take shelter behind his elephantine proportions.
In early times, there lived in Charleston a Justice of the Peace nained H. C.
Dunbar, and a well-known business man — Richard Stoddert. These two
worthy individuals were in the habit of playing practical jokes on each other,
and rather serious ones sometimes, as the sequel Avill show. One bleak, dreary
day, ill the month of Marcii — as disagreeable as March days can sometimes be
— Mr. Stoddert told 'Squire Dunbar that a friend of his in the north part of
the county, some eighteen or twenty miles from town, was to be married on
that day, and had requested him (Stoddert) to send Dunbar up to perform the
ceremony. Dunbar, nothing doubting, mounted his horse and rode up to the
designated place to tie the knot, but upon arriving, discovered that it was one
of Stoddert's jokes. lie said nothing, but, indulged internally, perhaps, in a
few pages of profane history, returned home through the March blasts, taking
it all good-naturedly, and l)idod liis time to pay off Stoddert in his own coin.
An opportunity was soon prcsenfed. It was a custom at that day, at parties
and gatherings of young people, by way of giving zest to the evening's enter-
tainment, to get up a sham wedding of some couple who had been " keeping
company," or were particularly sweet on each other, and have a sham ceremony
performed with all due solemnity by some sham official or sham clergyman.
Soon after Dunbar's "fruitless trip " above mentioned, one of these social par-
ties came off in Charleston, and, with the design of retaliating upon Stoddert,
Dunbar went to the County Clerk's office and procured a marriage license for
Stoddert and a certain young lady, with whom he had been keeping company
for some time. Armed with this document, he repaired to the party, and so
engineered matters as to get up the usual sham wedding between Stoddert and
his sweetheart. As a Justice of the Peace, he was, of course, called on to per-
form the (supposed) sham ceremony. Confronting the pair with all the solem-
nity he would have used had it been a pre-arranged wedding "for keeps,"
he asked the usual questions required by law, and was answered satisfactorily,
winding up by informing them that, as they were aware, he was an officer,
authorized by law to perform the marriage ceremony, and asked if it was their
" desire to be united in holy wedlock." They answered in the affirmative, and,
holding the license in his hand (which they supposed was but a piece of blank
paper, used for the sake of appearance), he went through the marriage ceremony
in full, received the responses, and solemnly pronounced them " man and wife,"
turned away and made out the certificate with the usual witnesses, went over to
the Clerk's office, made a return of the license and had the certificate recorded
that night, without a hint to the pair of the genuineness of the proceedings.
The next day, however, the matter leaked out, and so many of Stoddert's
friends joked him about being maiiied in the novel manner described, that he
254 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
went to the Clerk's office to investigate, and found it true — the papers in the
case returned and recorded in due form. He then went to the girl and told
her what had occurred, when quite a little excitement arose. She cried and
Stoddert — swore (perhaps), not that they objected to each other, but to the way
they had been inveigled into it. At last, Stoddert told her that they had better
make the best of a "horrid joke" and call it genuine. She responded that
perhaps she would never be able to do any better in the selection of a husband,
and so the sham wedding was turned into a genuine affair. Before leaving the
subject we will add that, if all reports be true, Charleston never knew a hap-
pier couple than the one united in this romantic manner. Long years of wedded
life were passed in the greatest harmony, and when, a few years ago, the good
woman passed from earth, she was most sincerely mourned by the partner of
her sorrows and joys. He is still living, an honored citizen of Charleston.
'Squire Dunbar is living in Texas, or was at the last known of him, enjoying
the reflection, doubtless, that he paid Stoddert for his joke, with interest.
The first practicing physician in Coles County was Dr. John Apperson,
His practice extended over a large scope of country, and his office was usually
on horse-back. Often when he slept, his saddle was his pillow, the soft side of
a puncheon or the green earth his bed, and the blue sky his covering. Dr.
Carrico was another of the early practitioners in the healing art, and was fol-
lowed soon after by Dr. Ferguson, who doctored the people of Coles County for
more than forty years. Col. Dunbar was the first licensed lawyer of the county,
and for some time had an open field for the exercise of his legal talent. A
more minute history of the professions is given in the township histories.
J OLD settlers' association.
In 1878, the idea was conceived of forming an association of the old settlers
of Coles County still surviving, for the purpose of keeping up the old associa-
tions of the pioneer days, and preserving the reminiscences of the wilderness,
in which they long ago planted their homes. With this object in view, a meet-
ing assembled in the city of Charleston, on the 19th of October last, and was
called to order by Hon. 0. B. Ficklin. Col. A. P. Dunbar was chosen Chair-
man of the meeting, and Capt. W. E. Adams was appointed Secretary. Col.
Dunbar briefly stated the object of the meeting to be " the renewal of old
acquaintances, and giving brief sketches of the early history and settlement of
Coles County, and the organization of a society to be known as the Coles
County Old Settlers' Society." I. J. Montfort, Isaac N. Craig and Thomas G.
Chambers were appointed a committee to report a plan for the organization of
such a society. The following is their report : " This association shall be known
as the Coles County Old Settlers' Society. The object of this Society shall be
to keep in lively remembrance the hardships and privations incident to the
early settlers of new countries, and especially of this county, and thereby
promote the same economy among the rising generation as was practiced by
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 255
them. The officers shall be a President, and a Vice President for each town-
ship, a Secretary and five Directors. The duties of the officers provided for
as above shall be the same as performed by such officers in all deliberative
bodies and societies. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to call
annual meetings of this society on the last Thursday in August of each year,
and make necessary arrangements for such meetings. The officers shall hold
their positions for one year." A committee, consisting of 0. B. Ficklin,
Bichard Stoddert and Dr. S. Van Meter, was appointed, to define what an old
settler is, and who shall be members of this society. Following is their definition :
" Whosoever shall have lived in the State of Illinois thirty years is considered
an old settler by this association, and shall be eligible to become a member of
this Society." At this meeting, Thomas G. Chambers was chosen President of
the association for the ensuing year, and W. E. Adams, Secretary. The fol-
lowing gentlemen were chosen Vice Presidents : Albert Compton, Charleston ;
Thomas E. Woods, Mattoon ; Adam W. Hart, Paradise ; J. K. Ellis, Okaw ;
James Shoemaker, Humbolt ; James McCrory, La Fayette; I. J. Montfort^
Pleasant Grove; Ely B. Adams, Ilutton ; Peter K. Honn, Ashmore ; J.J.
Pemberton, Oakland ; Yancey E. Winkler, Morgan ; and Isaac Perisho,
Hickory. J. W. Frazier, Abram Highland, Dr. S. Van Meter, Col. A. P.
Dunbar and George Birch were chosen Executive Committee.
The Charleston Plaindealer closes its account of the proceedings of this
meeting of the old settlers as follows: "Brief speeches were made by Col. J.
J. Adams,* who has lived in the county for forty-eight years, and has heard
the scream of the panther and the war-whoop of the Indian, and by Isaac
Perisho, who had been a resident of Illinois since 1825 ; and by William Rigsby,
who had seen the Court House built and sowed the blue-grass seed in the Court
House yard ; and by Uncle John Bates, who came here in 1824, and has seen
the wilderness blossom as the rose ; and by Dr. Van Meter, who has been in
the country for fifty years, and carried his corn to mill on his back and hired
the miller to take his oxen and grind his grist for him ; and by Aunt Polly
Kellogg, who came here in 1824, saw the first mill built, and heard the first
sermon preached, and attended the first funeral in the county. Job W. Brown,
P. K. Honn, George Birch, Y. E. Winkler, Jeptha Parker, Michael Hall,
Isaac Craig, and many other old settlers were in attendance. The Vice Presi-
dents are requested to enroll all old. settlers in their respective townships. The
last Thursday in August, 1879, was fixed as the time for the next annual
meeting." We would add that it is the intention to keep up the meetings, and
to maintain the association permanently.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
Some modern sage, imbued with a poetical view in his composition, has very
wisely declared: ,,„.,., .i, -a
•' " Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."
■ A soldier of the Mexican war, and recently deceased.
256 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
And when our forefathers declared in their ordinance of 1787, that kn v.vl;;l :c,
in connection with religion and morality, was "necessary to the g'> > 1 .; i\\,m-ii-
raent and happiness of mankind,'.' and enjoined that "schools, and ilu iiuaris
of education, should forever be encouraged," they suggested in that ordinance the
verv bulwark of American liberty and freedom. The first free-school system
of the State was adopted thirty years before the present one. Schools flourished
in almost every neighborhood, says Gov. Ford in his history of Illinois, and
" the law Avorked reasonably well." Gov. Coles, in his Message to the Legis-
lature of 1824-25, directed attention to the liberal donation of Congress in
lands for educational purposes, asking that they be husbanded as a rich treasure
for future generations, and, in the mean time, to make provision for the support
of local schools. During this session, Hon. Joseph Duncan, subsequently
Governor (then Senator), introduced a bill, afterward passed, to which the
following is the preamble : " To enjoy our rights and liberties, we must
understand them ; their security and protection ought to be the first object of
a free people ; and it is a well-established fact that no nation has ever continued
long in the enjoyment of civil and political freedom which was not both virtuous
and enlightened. And believing that the advancement of literature always has
been, and ever will be, the means of more fully developing the rights of men —
that the mind of every citizen in a republic is the common property of society,
and constitutes the basis of its strength and happiness — it is, therefore, con-
sidered the peculiar duty of a free government, like ours, to encourage and
extend the improvement and cultivation of the intellectual energies of the
whole." Stuve, in his history of Illinois, speaking of this act, says: " It was
provided that common schools should be established, free and open to every class
of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one ; and persons over
twenty-one might be admitted on such terms as the Trustees should prescribe.
Districts, of not less than fifteen families, were to be formed by the County
Courts, upon petition of a majority of the voters thereof; officers were to be
elected, sworn in, and their duties were prescribed in detail. The system was
full and complete in all particulars. The legal voters were empowered at the
annual meeting to levy a tax, in money or merchantable produce at its cash
value, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, subject to a maximum limitation
of $10 to any one person. But, aside from this tax, the best and most efiective
feature of the law, in principle, the great stimulant of our present system, was
an annual appropriation by the State of $2 out of every $100 received into
the Treasury, and the distribution of five-sixths of the interest arising from the
school funds, apportioned among the several counties, according to the number
of white children under the age of twenty-one years, which sums were then re-
distributed by the counties among their respective districts, none participating
therein where not at least three months' school had been taught during the
twelve months preceding. In this law were foreshadowed some of the most
valuable features of our present free-school system. But it is asserted that the
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M/iTTOON
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 259
law of 1825 was in advance of the times ; that the people preferred to pay
their tuition fees, or do without education for the children, rather than submit
to the bare idea of taxation, however it might fall in the main upon the wealthier
property-holders, for the benefit of all ; and the law was so amended, in 1827,
as to virtually nullify it, by providing that no person should be taxed for the
maintenance of any school, unless the consent was first obtained in writing, and
the continuance of the State appropriation of |2 out of every $100 received
into the Treasury, being its very life, was denied." In the foregoing extract
is portrayed something of the first school laws of Illinois, and their virtual abolish-
ment developed the rude system of schools of the pioneer days in Coles County.
The school fund was not sufficient to support the schools, and the people obviated
the difficulty' by some one, specially interested, taking a paper, going to the
parents and having them sign as many scholars, at $1.50 apiece (that was the
standard price), as they could send to school. If a sufficient number were sub-
scribed they had a school, if not, the children ran wild and unrestrained as the
prairie winds, at least, so far as pertained to schools. Nor were schoolhouses
built then by general taxation, as they are now, but by gratuitous contribution.
This contribution usually consisted in a man taking his ax and cuttino- locrs, or
taking his team and hauling them from the timber to the building-site, or
carrying the hod while the chimney was in process of erection, or of " rivino- "
boards to cover it, etc., etc. These schoolhouses were built of logs, often with-
out hewing, raised one story high, and, as an old settler informed us, " white-
washed inside and outside with original Illinois mud, floored with rude
puncheons, and cracks between them through which the small children some-
times fell." With a fire place extending across one end of the room, benches
made of trees split, open, and wooden pins put in for legs, the half of two logs
cut out, and white domestic tacked over it (the pioneer glass window), completes
the picture of the original schoolhouse. In these rude temples of learning the
pioneer's child acquired his education. There were no grades then, and but
few classes, for in a school of twenty or thirty pupils, there would be found as
many arithmetics, geographies and readers as there were extant in the English
language. But the adoption of the free-school system, entered upon in 1855,
marks the turning-point in the history of common-school education of the
State, and abolished forever the rude and imperfect system hitherto in force.
The donation by Congress of the Sixteenth Section of every Congressional
Township, or, if sold, lands equivalent thereto, as contiguous as might be, for
the use of the inhabitants of such township for school purposes, amounted to
over 998,000 acres, and which, had it been properly managed and husbanded,
would have given the people such an ample school fund as would have saved
them from any local taxation. At the session of the Legislature of 1854. that
august body took the first step in the right direction, .by the enactment of a
law separating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction from that of
Secretary of State, and creating it a distinct department of the State govern-
260 ' HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
ment, the incumbent to receive a salary of $1,500, and Gov. Matteson appointed
the Hon. N. W. Edwards State Superintendent of Common Schools. This
most important office, at that juncture, was bestowed upon Mr. Edwards on
account of his long experience in public life, and from the conviction that he
would carry into effect the hopes of the people and the designs of the Legis-
lature in creating it. In January following, he submitted to the General
Assembly a full report upon the condition of the public schools throughout the
State, ably urged the education of the children of the State at the public
expense, and presented a well-drawn bill for a complete system of free schools,
which, with some alterations, became a law. The act bore date February 15,
1855, and embraced all the essential principles now in force."* But, however
interesting our school history may be to the friends of education, we cannot
follow it through all of its mutations, but have already trespassed upon time
and space, and will only add, that there is not a State west of the Alleghanies
whose educational interest and common-school system is so well developed, so
well protected and so well adapted to the wants of the people and the spirit of
the age, as the State of Illinois. With a few statistical facts from the last
report of Prof. T. J. Lee, County Superintendent of Schools, to the Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction, which are of special interest to the people of the
county, we will pass on to other branches of our work :
Number of schools taught in the county 121
" " pupils enrolled 7,937
Male teachers employed (1st grade) 66
" " " ('2d grade) 41
Female " " (1st grade) 59
" " " (2d grade) 67
Total number of teachers employed 233
Average merit of their certificates 8.3
Months taught by males 526
" " " females 582
Average number of months taught previous 88
Average age of these teachers (years) 27
Average monthly wages (males) $48.88
" (females) $30.60
Amount paid teachers , 14-4,607.99
Number of persons between 6 and 21 years 9,099
" between 12 and 21 unable to write 20
V
Referring to the qualifications of teachers. Prof. Lee says: "Shortly after
coming into office, I deemed it best to reduce, gradually, the number of certifi-
cates by raising the grade of qualifications, and adopted the following rules con-
cerning certificates : " 1. Scale : 5, very poor ; 6, poor ; 7, tolerable ; 8, good ; 9,
very good ; 10, perfect. 2. For First Grade — Average of 8, with no branch
below 7. 3. For Second grade — Average of 7, with no branch below 5. After
twelve months teaching, same mark as for First Grade. 4. Only bona-fide ap-
plicants to teach in this county will be examined. 5. Reference of good moral
♦Stuve's History of Illinois.
HISTORY' OF COLES COUNTY. 261
character required of applicants unknown to Superintendent. 6. In addition
to above, aptitude for the business of teaching will be required. 7. No re-ex-
amination under three months after rejection. 8. No certificate now held will
be renewed or another issued instead, except on personal application for re-
examination. 9, All examinations must be begun and completed on the same
day ; therefore applicants should come to the office early in the day. 10. No
certificates will be issued except at published time and place." Prof. Lee closes
his report as follows : " Our common school system is yet an experiment. Give
it time to grow, and it may yet unfold into that perennial blessing, and those benef-
icent propositions dreamed by its founders. Its growth cannot be hastened —
but retarded rather — by certain Utopian ideas that now, unhappily for it, seem
to be gaining ground. Let us call a ' halt ' and wait. Let all who are ' called '
to help administer the system strive in every good way to bring it up equal to
the provisions already made for it, before attempting new excesses."
EARLY RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
The sound of the Gospel in Coles County is coeval with the first settle-
ment made in its limits. John Parker, the old patriarch of the Parker family
was a Baptist preacher of the " hard-shell " or " ironside" persuasion, and used to
proclaim the word of God to the pioneers on the Sabbath — when it was not a
good day to hunt bees. Daniel Parker was also a preacher of the same denom-
ination, and, as the Parkers were the first settlers in the county, so were they
the first preachers. "• High " Johnny Parker, as the old man was familiarly
called, preached the first sermon in Coles County in 182-4, the year the first
settlement was made. He was a plain, old-fashioned man, hewn out of rou^h
timber, and "preached salvation by election, without money and without
price." This sermon (the first in the county) was preached in a small log cabin
in the Parker settlement, and it is said that every inhabitant of the county
was there, and had abundant room, for eleven souls constituted the entire
adult population. Father Parker closed this original religious service of the
county in these words : " Brethren, we have wandered far into the wilder-
ness, but even here death will find us." The Rev. Mr. Newport was another
of the "hard-shell" divines who figured prominently in the early relio-ious
history of the county. The early settlers were a conscientiously religious
people. Even prior to the era of schoolhouses and churches, they had
meetings under the shade-trees on the river-banks, and in private houses,
dedicated by common usage to religious services. Says Capt. Adams in
his Centennial Address : " We have seen one of these private houses, not
exceeding twenty feet square, containing three or four beds and all the house-
hold and kitchen furniture of a large family, hold a big congregation of zealous
worshipers. In the early days, the old, young and even small children went to
church. During the services it sometimes occurred that a half-dozen of these
little ones, all with one accord, would raise their plaintive cries ; nevertheless,
262 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
the services proceeded without any apparent disturbance. The occasional man-
ifestations of some of these people were strikingly singular. Some would shout and
some would pray and others scream at the top of the voice. Some would clap
their hands until blistered, and others faint away, but all seemed happy, recog-
nizing it as the Lord's doings."
An early minister of the Presbyterian Church was Rev. Isaac Bennett.
" He dropped down among us," says one, " as softly as the morning light, and
could not brook any religious excitement, or even the music of a child during
his discourse." Rev. Mr. Martin was another of the early preachers of
Coles County. But we have not space to particularize each of these
pioneer soldiers of the cross. Without the hope of earthly reward, they
preached the glad tidings to perishing sinners, and sought to gather them
into the fold of Christ. Reverently asking the blessing of God upon all
they did, their lives were simple ; their wants few and easily satisfied ; their
teachings plain and unvarnished, touched with no eloquence save that of their
daily living, which was seen and known of all men.
In what year the first church-building was erected in the county is not
known, but subsequently to 1830, as at that date, we are informed, there was
not an edifice which had been erected purposely for a temple of worship. Before
the building of schoolhouses, the cabin of the settler was used in winter,
and in summer, "the groves, God's first temples," served their humble wishes.
But now, some sixty-five church-buildings may be enumerated in the county.
Not only in the towns and cities, but in every village and hamlet, their lofty
spires "pierce the clouds." Even in many neighborhoods in the country are
neat and commodious church-houses.
In connection with the church history, it may not be out of place to say a
few words of the benevolent institutions existing in the county. Freemasonry
and Odd Fellowship follow close in the wake of the Christian church, and, in
their way, exert almost as great an influence for good as the church itself.
They teach a belief in God, the immortality of the soul and the resurrec-
tion of the body. Gathered around their altars, their votaries can sub-
scribe to their simple articles of faith, and join in one united prayer and
praise to the great Architect of the universe. These institutions have organ-
ized bodies in Charleston, Mattoon, Etna, Ashmore, Muddy Point, Oakland,
Paradise, Hutton and Milton. In the city of Charleston are Charleston Lodge,
No. 35, A., F. & A. M.; Keystone Chapter, No. 54, Royal. Arch Masons ;
Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F.; Kickapoo Lodge, No. 00, I. 0. 0. F.;
and Coles Encampment, No. 94, I. 0. 0. F. ; in Mattoon — Mattoon Lodge,
No. 260, A., F. & A. M.; Circle Lodge, No. 707, A., F. & A. M.; Mattoon
Chapter, No. 85, Royal Arch Masons ; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, No.
44, Knights Templar; Harmony Lodge, No. 551, I. 0. 0. F.; Coles County
Lodge, No. 260, I. 0. O: F. ; Mattoon Encampment, No. , I. 0. 0. F. ;
also, Mattoon German Lodge, No. 414, I. 0. 0. F., and Eureka Lodge, No.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 263
13, Colored Masons ; in the village of Etna, Wabash Lodge, No. 179,
A., F. & A. M., and Etna Lodge, No. 519, I. 0. 0. F.; in Oakland— Oak-
land Lodge, No. 219, A., F & A. M., and Oakland Lodge, No. 545, I. 0. 0. F.;
in Milton — Milton Lodge, No. 275, A., F. & A. M., and Humboldt Lodge, No.
636, L 0. 0. F.; in Ashmore— Ashraore Lodge, No. 390, A., F. & A. M.;
in Muddy Point— Etna Lodge, No. 396, A., F. & A. M.; in Milton Station
— Elwood Lodge, No. 589, A., F. & A. M.; in Paradise — Miles Hart Lodge,
No. 595, A., F. & A. M., and in Hutton — Hutton Lodge, No. 698,
A., F. & A. M.
' AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
An association entitled the Coles County Agricultural Society was formed
at Charleston on the 24th day of May, 1841, and held three successive fairs,
the first, October 1, 1841, the second, October 1, 1842, and the third, Sep-
tember 27, 1843. The permanent officers of the Society for 1841 were as
follows : James Hite, President ; B. F. Jones, H. J. Ashmore and M. Ruflf-
ner, Vice Presidents ; T. A. Marshall, Treasurer, and J. F. Whitney, Secre-
tary. The officers for 1842 were : Thomas Monson, President ; Michael
Ruffner, Isaac Gruwell, Vice Presidents ; L. R. Hutchason, Treasurer ; D. J.
Van Deren, Secretary; and for 1843, James T. Cunningham, President;
George H. Nabb and Fountain Turner, Vice Presidents ; L. R. Hutchason,
Treasurer; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; Laban Burr, John A. Olmstead,
John Hite, Joel Connelly, John Apperson, B. F. Jones, Thomas Monson,
Thomas Farris, R. A. Miller and William Frost, a Board of Directors.*
The following extract is from the records: "From 1843 to 1855, the
Society appears to have been entranced in a sort of Rip Van Winkle sleep, a
"rpasterly inactivity " of eleven years' duration, until the passage of the two
acts of the Legislature of Illinois, February 14, 1855, and February 15, 1855,
the first to encourage the formation of county agricultural societies, and the
last, a general act of incorporation of agricultural and horticultural societies
and associations for improving. the breeds of domestic animals, whereupon the
Society appears to have awakened from its lengthy slumber, and recommenced
its labors with more of vigor, comeliness of proportion and hope to its friends
than prior to that wise legislative aid by the State, and accordingly, in the
spring of 1855, a re-organization was effected, and a constitution and by-laws
adopted, as was then supposed, in conformity with the acts above referred to.
The records under the new organization are said to be lost, so that the present
Secretary is unable to give a history of its proceedings for 1855. Certain it is,
however, the Society held a fair in the fall of that year, but what was contained
in its list of premiums, who were judges, who competitors, to whom and for
what premiums were awarded, is enshrouded in darkness. Nor is the present
Secretary able to give a full list of the officers elected for that year, but as far
as informed, the following is believed to be correct: James T.Cunningham,
*These fairs were held on the commons, we are told, the Society having no grounds of its own.
264 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
President; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; B. F. Jones, J. K. Decker, M. F.
Hackett, a portion of the Board of Directors ; Thomas G. Chambers, Treas-
urer. The present Secretary is informed that the Society, having complied
with the act of February 14, 1855, received from the Treasurer of State the
sum of $50, as authorized by that act. Before the election of the present
Secretary, but at what time he is not informed, the Society had purchased seven
and three-fifths acres of land for the use of the same for its fair grounds, and
had paid the sum of $100 in part payment for the same, the title to which
remains yet unperfected."
The act of February 14, 1855, referred to in the foregoing records, is as
follows :
An Act to encourage the formation nf County Agricultural Societifs.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General
Assembly, That whenever the President and Treasurer of any County Agricultural Society shall
certify that the sum of (at least) fifty dollars has been collected, and is in the hands of the
Treasurer for the use of said society, the Tre.isurerof this State shall, when called upon for that
purpose, pay to the said Treasurer or fiscal agent or officer of said society, the sum of fifty dol-
lars ; and the receipt of said Treasurer of such society therefor shall entitle the said Treasurer
of this State to a credit for that amount in the settlements of his account as such State Treasurer.
Sec. 2. The said sum of fifty dollars, thus appropriated, shall be expended in the purpose
of premiums, to be procured and distributed under the direction of said societies respectively in
the manner prescribed in the constitution, by-laws, or other regulations of said societies.
Sec. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
The act of February 15, 1855, also alluded to in the extract from the
minutes of the Society, provides for the incorporation of such societies, the
mode of forming them, who shall be members, etc., and gives the usual privi-
leges of all corporate bodies. But its great length and lack of interest to the
general reader, are sufficient excuses for omitting it here. Under these acts
the Society revived, as already stated, took new lease of life, and commenced
business in earnest. The minutes, however, of the first meeting, under the
new dispensation, being lost, the proceedings of that fair are " as a sealed book."
The proceedings of 1856 are given in full, together with the premium-lists,
officers and all matters of interest occurring during the year. At a meeting of
Society held in the Court House, June 2, 1856, the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: John Cofer, President; William Miller, Vice
President ; H. J. Keeler, Secretary ; Thomas G. Chambers, Treasurer ; B. F.
Jones, J. T. Cunningham, J. K. Decker, M. F. Hackett and James Hammett,
Executive Committee. At a meeting of the officers, held soon after their
election, they met and made out a list of pi'emiums, also a list of Avhat should
be exhibited. It is as follows :
FIRST DAY.— DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
Horses. — Best stallion, 4 years old and over, Class 1, No. 1 '?6 00
Second best '^ *^0
Best stallion, 3 years old. Class 1, No. '1 3 00
Second best : 2 00
Best stallion, 2 years old, Class I, No. o 3 00
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 265
Horses. — Second best 2 00
Best stallion, 1 year old, Class 1, No. 4 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best sucking horse-colt, Class 1, No. 5. 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best brood-mare, 4 years old and over, Class 2, No. 1 6 00
Second best 3 00
Best filly, 8 years old, Class 2, No. 2 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best filly, 2 years old. Class 2, No. 3 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best filly, 1 year old. Class 2, No. 4 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best sucking mare-colt, Class 2, No. 5 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best pair horses or mares. Class 3, No. 1 5 00
Best saddle horse or mare. Class 3, No. 2 3 00 ''
Best buggy horse or mare, Class 3, No. 3 3 00
Jacks. — Best jack, 3 years old and over, Class 4, No. 1 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best jack, 2 years old, Class 4, No. 2 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best jack 1 year old. Class 4, No. 3 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best sucking jack-colt, Class 4, No. 4 3 00
Second best 2 00
Jennies. — Best jenny, 3 years old and over, Class 5, No. 1 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best jenny, 2 years old. Class 5, No. 2 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best jenny, 1 year old, Class 5, No. 3 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best sucking jenny colt. Class 5, No. 4 3 00
Second best 2 00
Mules. — Best pair of mules. Class 6, No. 1 5 00
Best sucking mule-colt. Class 6, No. 2 3 00
Catile. — Best bull, 4 years old and over, Class 7, No. 1 5 00
Second best 3 00
Best bull, 3 years old. Class 7, No. 2 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best bull, 2 years old, Class 7, No. 3 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best bull, 1 year old. Class 7, No. 4 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best sucking bull-calf. Class 7, No. 5 3 00
Second best ^. 2 00
Best cow, 4 years old and over, Class 8, No. 1 8 00
Second best 3 00
Best heifer, 3 years old, Class 8, No. 2 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best heifer, 2 years old. Class 8, No. 3 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best heifer, 1 year old, Class 8, No. 4 3 00
266 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Caillc. — Second best 2 00
Best sucking lieifer-calf, Class 8, No. 5 3 00
Second best 2 00
Best pair work cattle, Class 9, No. 1 .5 00
Sheep. — Best buck, Class 10, No. 1 §2 00
Second best buck 1 00
Best ewe, Class 10, No. 1 2 00
Second best ewe 1 00
Swine. — Best boar, 1 year old and over, Class 11, No. 1 3 00
Best boar 6 months old and under 12 months old. Class 11, No. 2... 3 00
Best pig under 6 months old, Class 11, No. 3 2 00
Best breed-sow, 1 year old and over, Class 11, No. 4 3 00
Best breed-sow, 6 months and under 12 months old, Class 11, No. -5, 3 00
Poultry. — Best pair of chickens, Class 12, No. 1 2 00
Second best pair of chickens 1 00
Farming Utensils. — Best sod plow. Class 13 3 00
Best Subsoil plow, Class 13 3 00
Best harrow. Class 13 2 00
Best land-roller, Class 13 2 00
Best mower and reaper combined, Class 13 .5 00
Best thresher and separator. Class 13. 5 00
Best seed-sower. Class 13 3 00
Best hay-rake, Class 13 2 00
Mechanical Department. — Best harness for all purposes, Class 14, No. 1 3 00
Second best harness for all purposes 2 00
Best riding-saddle, Class 14, No. 2 3 00
Second best riding-saddle 2 00
Agricultural Products. — Best acre of wheat (dimension and quality indorsed
by responsible, disinterested party), to be reported to the
Secretary prior to November 10, with instruction as to soil,
time and manner of sowing, tillage of ground, species of
wheat, etc.. Class 15, No. 1 5 00
Best acre of corn (with same conditions as to the wheat, etc.),
Class 15, No. 2 5 00
Fruit Department. — Greatest and best variety of apples, with siatement as to
soil, slope of ground, etc., and any concurrent facts or con-
ditions by which it is believed its superiority had been
induced. Class 16, No. 1 3 00
Second best and greatest variety (same statement) 2 00
Greatest and best variety of fruits, with statement as above relative
to each, species, etc.. Class 16, No. 2 3 00
Second greatest and best variety (same statement) 2 00
SECOND DAY. LADIES' DEPARTMENT.
Dairy. — Best 5 lbs. butter, with process of manufacture, Class 17, No. 1 2 00
Best 10 lbs. cheese, with process of manufacture, Clasi^ 17, No. 2... 2 00
Domestic Manufactures. — Best fancy quilt, Class 18, No. 1 2 00
Best coverlet, Class 18, No. 2 2 00
Best cai-pet, 10 yards and upward. Class 18, No. 3 2 00
Best rag carpel, 10 yards and upward, Class 18, No. 4 2 00
Best woolen cloth, 10 yards and over, Class 18, No. 5 3 00
Best jeans, 10 yards and over, Class 18, No. 6 2 00
Best flannel, 10 yards and over (white, striped or plaid), Class 18
No. 7 2 00
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 267
Domestic. Manufactures. — Best pair of blankets, Class 18, No. 8 2 00
Best yarn socks. Class 18, No. 9 50
Best cotton hose. Class 18, No. 10 50
Fancy or Needle Work. — Best specimen fancy needle work. Class 19, No. 1... 3 00
Best quality, embracing the greatest variety, of articles useful and
ornamental, Class 19, No. 2 , 5 00
At a meeting held August 2, 1856, the Board passed a resolution to adopt
the list of premiums as above given, and appointed a committee to prepare the
fair grounds for the forthcoming exhibition. At a subsequent meeting, an
agreement was made with D. J. Van Deren and H. J- Keeler to inclose the
grounds. At a meeting September 13, it was ordered that a well be dug and
curbed upon the Society's grounds ; badges were ordered for life members, and
for the officers. Robert Leith was appointed Marshal ; E. W. True, J. R.
Jeffries, James Shoemaker, William Jones and Richard Champion, Deputy
Marshals, together with some other unimportant matters pertaining to the fair
soon to take place, were arranged.
The fair came off on the 24th and 25th of September, and, from the entries
made in the different classes, seems to have been a very interesting and success-
ful meeting. Particularly were the stock classes well represented, and a num-
ber of entries made in each class. The Secretary published a report which is
copied in the records, showing the list of Judges for the articles and stock
adjudged, and the names of those to whom premiums were awarded, but its
extreme length forbids its insertion in this work, however interesting it might
prove to our readers, especially those who are engaged in stock-raising.
But it is impossible to follow the Society through all the years since its
re-organization in 1855. Suffice it, that at the present time it is in a flourish-
ing state, and the people of the county are justly proud of their association.
The last meeting took place in September, 1878, occupying five days, the 17th,
18th, 19th, 20 th and 21st ; the premium -list embraces ten pages of closely
printed matter in a pamphlet printed for gratuitous distribution. The grounds
of the Society comprise twenty-four acres well improved, substantially inclosed,
with stock-stalls and all necessary buildings, and of a total value of about
$6,000. The present officers are as follows, viz., S. D. Dole, of Mattoon,
President ; James Shoemaker, of Loxa, I. J. Montfort, of Charleston, T. G.
Chambers, of Charleston, M. B. Valodin, of Oakland, Vice Presidents ; E. R.
Connely, Samuel Van Meter, C. E. Wilson, Adam Millar and Isaac Flenner,
Board of Directors; R. S. Hodgen, Secretary, and J. K. Decker, Treasurer.
The farmers of Coles County have for years past devoted considerable
attention to the improvement of their stock, and many of them are at present
engaged largely in breeding blooded horses, cattle and hogs. Of horses, the
Norman stock is being introduced in the county, and as draft horses are popu-
lar, while other blooded horses are receiving some attention. W. A. Whitte-
more, H. M. Ashmore, J. W. Wright and I. N. Gibbs are specially engaged in
breeding fine horses. Blooded cattle are being more extensively raised, as this
268 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
section of the country is more favorably adapted to cattle than horses. S. C.
Ashmore, William Millar, Ambrose Edwards and Isaac Flenner make a
specialty of Short Horns. R. L. Reat, of Herefords and Jerseys, and R. S.
Hodgen, of Jerseys.
Shepard &, Alexander are known, not. only over the State of Illinois, but
throughout the entire country, for their fine breed of Poland-China hogs.
Their fine specimens of this famous stock of hogs have been exhibited at Chi-
cago, St. Louis, Indiana State Fair, Illinois State Fair, Kansas State Fair,
and all the surrounding county fairs, where they have been invariably awarded
the highest prizes. But we shall refer more particularly to this snbject in the
history of Charleston Township.
In conclusion of the history of the Agricultural Society and the fine
stock of the county, we deem it of some general interest to the reader, to
append the following abstract from the Assessor's returns for 1878, as showing
the amount of stock, its value, together with other property, and the grain
produced for the past year :
Assessed valuation.
Horses, number of head 10,402 $ 208 628
Cattle, " " 15,973 143,875
Mules and asses, number of he:id ],393 80,975
Sheep, number of head 6,971 5,948
Hogs, " " 35,176 39,746
Steam engines 20 6,010
Fire-proof safes 50 1,353
Carriages and wagons 3,664 48,067
Watches and clocks 3,552 7,754
Sewing machines 1,575 14,854
Piano-fortes 179 8,366
Melodeons and organs 167 4 579
Improved lands 268,863 3,333,290
Unimproved lands 49,491 249,074
Improved town and city lots 2,46 5 769,909
Unimproved town and city lots 3,384 76,325
Total value of assessed property in the county* §5,642,818
No. of acres of wheat in 1878 19,500
No. of acres of corn in 1878 100, P16
No. of acres of oats in 1878 10,075
No. of acres of meadow in 1878 24,549
No. of acres of other field products 6,300
No. of acres of inclosed pasture 97,408
No. of acres of orchard 6,708
No. of acres of wood-land 53,200
THE COUNTY FARM.
"The poor ye have with you alway." Originally, the mode of taking
care of the poor of the county, was through an officer in each township or elec-
tion precinct, styled " Overseer of the Poor," who looked after the welfare of the
♦Several items of taxable property not given in the above table.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 269
poor and needy, supplied their wants and, at a regular meeting, brought his
bill before the County Board. But this system was found to be rather expen-
sive, the county, it is said, having paid out as much as |12,000in a single year
for the benefit of its poor. So this mode was changed to a county farm. Some
time during the war the county purchased a small tract of land in Pleasant
Grove Township, but becoming dissatisfied with this, from some cause or other,
probably its location at the very edge of the county, it was sold in 1865, and
forty acres bought in La Fayette Township. After using this a few years in
the capacity of a county farm, it was sold and 258 acres purchased in 1870, in
Ashmore Township. Upon this farm substantial buildings have been erected,
and all necessaries and conveniences prepared for taking care of the poor com-
fortably. The main building is a substantial two-story brick, and will accom-
modate about sixty persons. This farm, at the time of its purchase by the
county, was well improved, having a comfortable frame residence, barns and all
necessary outbuildings, so that the only additional expense to the purchase of
the land was the erection of the brick building above referred to. Upon a
written request to the Superintendent of the farm, Joshua Ricketts, Esq., we
received the following, which we give in full, as it contains much of general
interest, as well as some valuable hints : " The number at present in our County
Poorhouse is thirty-three. This is about the average for the year. There are
twenty-one females and twelve males. Four of the inmates are over eighty
years of age ; two of them are white and two black. One of these blacks is
supposed to be at least 100 years old. The blacks are both females, and were
slaves until freed by the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln. Old
John Golliday, well known to many of the citizens of the county, having been
a resident for over forty years, was once the lawful owner of 400 acres of good
land in Morgan Township, but by not doing right, he lost it all, and now has to
betaken care of at the expense of the public. I am convinced that fully nine-
tenths of all pauperism in this county may be traced either directly or indi-
rectly to the use of intoxicating drinks. Not that there were that number who
were drunkards, but the sin of others has, in many cases, visited the children
to the third and fourth generations. It is but a few days since a poor, degraded
creatare left the house to return to his old haunts, where he can again wallow
in the ditch, steeped in the fire of the still. This same man said that he felt
as if could drink fully three inches of whisky, so anxious was he to get back
to his old rum-holes. I am thoroughly satisfied that there would be no real neces-
sity for poorhouses if intoxicating liquors were banished from the land.
" As to the mode of conducting the house, we have a set of rules for the gov-
ernment of inmates, which are hung up in the house so that all can know what
is required of them. The Supervisors of the various townships are ex-officio
Overseers of the Poor of their respective townships, and by their order the Su-
perintendent receives and takes under his care those who are dependent and help-
less. The county owns some two hundred and fifty-eight acres of land, about
270 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
two hundred acres of which is plow and grass land : the remainder is principally
timber-land. On the farm is a brick building 38x58 feet, two stories high, apd
a kitchen attached to the main building, extending some 28 feet in length and
16 in width, with a large porch facing the east. There is also a very comfortable
dwelling for the Superintendent and his family and a large barn, with some
smaller buildings. There is an orchard of about one hundred and fifty bear-
ing trees, consisting of apples, peaches and cherries. In the summer time, the
paupers are employed some portion of the time in cultivating tobacco, of which
weed they are, as a rule, very fond."
The Superintendent has to enter into a contract with the Board of Super-
visors, and give a heavy bond, obligating himself to take care and treat kindly
and humanely all who may be placed under his care, stipulating the kind and
variety of food that shall be furnished. It is now nine years since the county
bought the farm where the Poorhouse is now located, eight miles east of Charles-
ton, immediately on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. There were twen-
ty-seven paupers moved from the old house, four miles west of Charleston, to
this place, October 25, 1870, of which number there are remaining on hand at
the present time seven — two men and five women. There have been thirty-two
deaths at the house, out of some two hundred and fifty persons who have
been received and cared for. The attending physician (A. T, Robertson), says
it is remarkable what cures have been effected. Most of those who have
died were far gone when received. The oldest person who died was Mrs. Anna
Higgenbotham, a cousin to Gen. Winfield Scott.
RAILROADS OF THE COUNTY.
To obtain an accurate idea of the railroads of Coles County, one must go
back before the day of railroads and note briefly their causes.
The first railways in the world began in the collieries in England, and were
simple tramways — wooden rails — on which the cars were hauled by mules. As
in many places the way from the collieries to the coal-yards was up an inclined
plane, the cars were hauled by the mules up the plane, and allowed to return
by their own gravity. " By little and by little," as Charles Dickens would say,
the tracks were extended to the shipping points, and, finally, to the chief
markets. Then the laborers began to ride to and from their daily tasks ; then
others rode ; then a car made to carry only laborers and those desiring to ride
was placed on the track ; steam began now^ and then to be recognized as an
important factor among the immense motive powers of the world, and, about
1825, George Stephenson invented and placed in successful operation an engine
that drew a train of cars over a wooden railway, protected by an iron covering,
at the rate of twelve miles an hour. This road ran from one town to another,
over vale and hill, up-hill and down, astonishing the incredulous English, who
prophesied only dire disaster and distress would attend the operating of such a
monster. Soon the railways, operated by steam, and carrying a train of cars
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 271
that "annihilated both time and space," were coming rapidly into use in the
mother country. The American nation, not to be outdone, had caught the con-
tagion, and, in 1830, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad commenced active opera-
tions to open a similar line, extending westward from that city. In 1826, a
tramway was built from Quincy, Mass., the home of the Adams family, to the
granite quarries, a few miles away — the pioneer railroad in America. On this
primitive affair only mules or horses were used, and it was never put to any
other purpose than the hauling of granite from the quarries.
From 1830 to 1835, railroads in the East received a considerable impulse.
Improvements of all kinds were being made, a speed of twenty and thirty
miles an hour was attained, and the benefits of their construction and use were
becoming more apparent.
About this time, it began to occur to the denizens of the Prairie State that
their domain was the best place in all the world for such enterprises. " For,"
argued they, " have we not a rich, productive soil, an even country, requiring
but little preparation, and needing no expensive grading, filling or costly
bridges. Does not our land bring forth plenty, and, if we had proper means
for transporting our products away and bringing money and settlers back to us.
what a country we would be ! "
A desire always finds a favorable argument and some way to accomplish its ends.
True, there was no money to build such works, and Pennsylvania and other
Eastern States which had entered on such schemes had invariably been the losers;
for " rings " would form and steal what they could not get honestly. Yet Illinois
soon found a way, and the attempt was made. In his message to the General As-
sembly, at the session of 1885, Gov. Joseph Duncan urged the Legislature, now
ripe for action, to the furtherance of schemes that were so brilliant in their pros-
pects. That body responded by such subsidies and grants to internal improvements
as to astonish even the sanguine Governor himself. Before they stopped, so
infatuated were they with the glorious future so enchantingly spread out before
them, they had entailed a debt of more than $14,000,000, all confidently
expected to be paid by the improvements themselves and by the consequent
increase in property.
The Utopian scheme dazzled the eyes of the Governor, the Legislature and
the people. They saw nothing but the most prosperous times ahead, and began
at once a system of financiering that in the end well nigh impoverished the
State. Gold and silver, the money of the world from its infancy, could, of
course, not be had for the fulfillment of the plans, and a system of bonds was
instituted, based on the faith of the State, redeemable in a series of years, and
payable in coin in the banks in New York. It was confidently predicted that
the bonds would not only sell at par, but would command a premium. Thoy
were to be paid from the proceeds of the canal and railroads, and were adver-
tised as the best securities to be had. The first installment went off easily ; but
human greed began to exhibit itself, and " rings " were formed, and, before any
272 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
one was aware, the bonds of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio — for tliese States were
in the meshes of the same visionary scheme — began to decline. When work
began on the Illinois and iNIichigan Canal, on the Illinois Central Railroad and
a few other such enterprises, laborers flocked to the State, prices of everything
advanced, and the day of prosperity so confidently predicted in the early stages
of the " plan," seemed now at hand. The men of the day, blinded by the ap-
parent success of the scheme, like men of this day, seemed to overlook
the fact that every article of trade, whether food, labor or merchandise, ad-
vanced with the influx of currency issued by the State banks, brought into life
by the scheme, and that in this respect things were no cheaper than before.
Now, at first $1 would buy but little less than before. Soon it took $2 to buy
what $1 would before, and so on, till, when the system collapsed, $100 of State
money would buy only as much as $16 in gold.
The projected works were simply marvelous in extent. Almost every county
in Illinois was to have a railroad, and in those where none were projected,
$200,000 was to be distributed. Work was to begin at both ends of the rail-
roads and the canal, and in any other places where heavy grades were encountered.
Among the projected routes was one from Cairo to the northern limit of the
State, especially to meet the southern end of the canal, this was to run through
or near Coles County. Another was projected from Terre Haute, Ind., west-
ward to Alton, 111. It was stipulated by the " Alton interest," as that faction
was known in the Senate, that no road should terminate at St. Louis. That
city was a rival to Alton, which confidently expected to overtake and pass her
opulent neighbor, and, in time, completely overshadow her. Hence, no favors
were to be shown the foreign rival. She must be put down some way, and
that way could be aided by refusing all means of ingress and egress,
save through Alton. For this reason, the road from Terre Haute westward,
must stop at Alton, and all business coming from the East must center there.
That the railroad was to be built no one for a moment doubted. It was to be
known as the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, and contracts for its construction
were let early in the life of the Internal Improvement system. Work began at
both ends and progressed centerward. Grading and filling was done at each ex-
tremity, the route determined on, and for a short time progressed favorably. As
the bonds of the State declined in value, and its currency fell in a like ratio,
the demands of the laborer, unskilled in finance, and caring only for their pay,
became more and more exorbitant, and when the failure of the system came,
they abruptly abandoned the State, with all manner of maledictions cast upon it.
The work on the railroad did not reach Coles County. That on the Illinois
Central suff"ered a similar fate, and no signs of railroads appeared here, save in
the surveyor's lines and stakes, and in the losses some of its people suffered
from the collapse, and return to a specie basis.
The hard times that followed have almost an unequaled history. The
decline in fictitious values, the distress of many people who had caught the
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY, 273
contagion of suddenly growing rich without giving an equivalent for the pros-
perity, the fall of real estate, the high price of produce, and, more than all,
the dread of emigrants, who feared to link their lives with a commonwealth
whose taxes for the future seemed unbearable, gave the State a reputation any-
thing but agreeable.
It was young, however, full of resources, and confident in its powers.
Able men took the helm ; a series of redeemable, long-time bonds was issued,
the canal, through additional loans, w^as completed ; and by the time the Mexican
war began to agitate the minds of the American people the bonds of Illinois had
risen, first to forty, then fifty, then seventy, and now to ninety cents on the
dollar. To its everlasting credit it must be recorded, all were paid ; and to-day
the debt of the State is only a nominal sum, which could be paid at any time.
Whatever may be said of the system of Internal Improvements, it must be
recorded that the people learned a lesson, dearly, too, that it does not pay
municipalities to assume the construction of such works, and that it is always
disastrous to entail a debt in expectation of future greatness and ability to dis-
charge it. Where such a course succeeds once, it will fail a hundred times ;
and even if succeeding, it is only by unnatural methods.
The reverse of the system was so great that no attempts were made to com-
plete any of the unfinished roads for over twelve years. Of all the grand
system of internal railroads in Illinois, but one, the Northern Cross Railroad,
was the only one that reached practical results. Of that, in the spring of
1837, some eight miles were built, and, on November 8, the first locomotive
that ever turned a wheel in the Mississippi Valley was placed and made a trial-
trip, running out and back on the eight miles of the old flat bar track. The road
was finished on to Jacksonville, and, in the spring of 1842, to Springfield, where
it terminated. The little locomotive, minus a spark-arrester and cow-catcher,
was a terror to cattle and buildings, throwing the one ruthlessly from the track,
and burning the other with its sparks. It was, after running a year or so, run
oif the track by a drunken engineer, and sold to Gen. Semples, of Alton, who
nearly bankrupted himself in a fruitless endeavor to make a steam road-wagon
of it. Mule-power superseded the engine on this road until about 1847, when
the track was sold (being worn out, and the strap rails stolen for sled shoes by
the surrounding populace) to a company of capitalists, for |100,000, one-tenth
of its cost, and by them remodeled, equipped, completed and the beginning of the
present Wabash Railway was the result.
TERRE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD.
In 1850, the next railroad was made in Illinois. By February of that
year, the Chicago & Galena (now Chicago & North-Western)*was finished as far
as Elgin, and an excursion-train ran between the two cities. A great revival
in railroad interests sprang up. Among those sharing in the awakening was the
old Terre Haute & Alton Road, which a second time comes into the narrative.
274 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Work began under a new corporation in 1851. The old route was deter-
mined on, as much of it at either end could yet be used. As has been stated,
no grading had been done in Coles County. The Illinois Central, whose early
history is analagous to that of the Terre Haute & Alton, was surveyed while
work was being done on the latter road, and an agreement made between the
two roads stipulated that whichever got to the place of contact last should
bear the expense of crossing. Work went vigorously on through 1853, 1854
and 1855, and, in order to accomplish the feat, the Terre Haute & Alton Road
hastily graded their route and reached Mattoon first. This was accomplished
in the winter of 1855. As fast as either end of the roads was completed, cars
were put on, the intervening links being traversed by stages which carried pas-
sengers who desired to travel in the then incomplete condition of the roads.
This road completed its bed and ran a train of cars through from Terre Haute
to Alton a little before the holidays in the winter of 1855-56. The gradino-
was very incomplete, many places the engine being unable to pull but few cars
at a time. When "stuck," as the natives called it, fence-rails were used as an
assistant motive power, or neighboring horses or oxen borrowed to help haul
the engine over the incline.
About the time of the building of this and the Central road, a policy
arose on the part of the residents of Central Illinois known as the " State's
Policy." It more particularly affected those on the line of the Terre Haute &
Alton Road, whose terminus was Alton, which by the people of that city, always
a rival of its great foreign neighbor, was considered as one of the public cor-
porations that would in time enable her to become what she sought to be —
the emporium of the Mississippi Valley. This policy party sprung suddenly
into existence when the Ohio & Mississippi, and the Vandalia — then known as
the Brough Road — attempted to get charters. They must not center at a
point opposite St. Louis ; they must come to Alton or not be built. No track
was allowed to be laid from Alton to the river on this side of St. Louis,
and for two years this "policy" threatened the serious failure of these two
corporations. It was extremely narrow, selfish and bigoted, and was handled
without gloves by the foreign press and by the people on the line of these two
roads striving to get a crossing in Illinois. Xot until 1852-53, did the party
lose its power in the State Legislature, and not till a new body was elected from
the people, who, by this time began to see its narrowing effects, were the
desired charters allowed.
Senators Douglas and Young wrote letters to prominent men in Illinois
urging them to abandon the idea, and pointing out to them the fact that the
grant to the Central Railroad could not have been obtained, had such a "pol-
icy" been known to exist.
Owing to this feeling, mainlj^, the Terre Haute & Alton Road was built
from the city on the Wabash to her aspiring neighbor on the Father of Waters;
and, owing to this same polic}'' lurking then in the minds of the citizens of that
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(DECEASED)
PLEASANT GROVE
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 277
place, was the road for a number of years compelled to transfer its freight and
passengers to boats, and float them to the mighty emporium on the western
bank of the same mighty stream. It was finally overcome, however. A track
was built to the east side of the river, opposite St. Louis, where, until the erec-
tion of the present grand bridge, the ferry-boat transferred them over the river.
With the change of terminus, a change of name occurred, and when the
connection was eftected with the road leading eastward to the capital of Indiana,
the name assumed its present form.
Now it connects with the " Bee Line," eastward, and forms a continuous
route from the cities of the Mississippi Valley to those on the Atlantic seaboard.
Mr. E. B. McClure, the General Superintendent, is a citizen of Coles
County, residing at Mattoon. Here is what what may be termed the " Half-
way House," and here are some of the principal offices. The car-shops of this
Company were removed from Litchfield, in 1870, and erected on a lot of ground
donated by the residents of the northeast part of town, where they are placed.
They were secured through a donation of |60,000 on the part of Mattoon, in
whose history a full account of them may be found.
THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
Like the Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Illinois Central had its rise in the
Internal Improvement system of 1835, and, like that road, went down in the
collapse of the system in 1840. Some work was done on the road during this
period, chiefly at the northern end — its connection with the canal. It was
intended to connect the canal and the junction of the rivers at Cairo by means
of this road ; and from published statements of the late Judge Sidney Breese
and letters of Stephen A. Douglas, we learn the idea originated as early as
1835, the commencement of the system referred to.
The revival of railroads and the consequent improvement in property
received a great impulse in Congress by the grant of 3,000,000 acres of
land to the State of Illinois for the construction of the Central road. A more
munificent grant of land could hardly be imagined at that date, and to the
Senators and Representatives in Congress of that session is the grant due.
The provisions of the grant were that the road was to be completed in ten
years. In case of failure, the unsold lands were to revert to the General Gov-
ernment, and for those sold the State was to pay the Government price. The.
belt of land was to include each alternate section for a width of twelve sections,
the odd-numbered sections to be the property of the railroad, the even-num-
bered ones to be the property of the Government, and to be sold at not less
than double the ordinary price (|1.25 per acre), i. e., $2.50 per acre.
The lands in this belt not already sold were to be withdrawn from market
and to remain so until the location of the road was permanently decided upon.
The State found itself in possession of the grant of land at the session of 1850,
and 1851, and as the act of Congress had passed the September previous, the
278 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
intervening time had been assiduously taken up by the press and stump of the
State in advocating and discussing plans for carrying out the project. It may
be remarked here that every plan brought forward was secretly fed by private
interests as much or more than by public good. Each town on any line from
Cairo to La Salle knew it was destined to be the one the road should pass
through. The session of the State Legislature was harassed by various monop-
olists, who saw in the brilliant prospects an easy way to secure wealth, and who,
for a time, seriously crippled the enterprise. Many persons were strongly in
favor of the State engaging in the work as it had done twelve years before, and
advocated the payment of the State indebtedness by means of the sale of the
lands and profits from the lands.
The maxim that " A burnt child dreads the fire" was exemplified here.
The State did not care to repeat the experiment it had so disastrously attempted
a few years before; especially so when an unexpected solution of the problem
of how to best build the road presented itself.
Robert Schuyler, Geoi'ge Griswold, Gouverneur Morris, Jonathan Sturgis,
George W. Ludlow and John F. A. Sanford, of New York City, and David A.
Neal, Franklin Haven and Robert Rantoul, Jr., of Boston, came before the
Legislature, represented by one of their number, and offered, if the State would
give them the grant of land, they would build and equip the road, and have it
in running order by the year 1854 ; that by the 4th day of July, in that year,
the road would be completed. There was a speedy, unlocked for solution of the
whole question. A company of capitalists step forward, propose to complete and
equip the road in a given length of time, much shorter than the State could
hope to — to, in fact, relieve them of all care in the matter, and, when done, to
pay annually into the treasury 7 per cent of all its gross earning in lieu of all
taxes. State and municipal. It is said, in their eagerness to obtain the road,
the capitalists would have bound themselves to pay 10 per cent as readily as 7 ;
but that that was engineered through the Assembly by a prominent citizen of
Illinois, who was secured for this purpose by the company. After a little delay
in getting the Commissioner of the Land Office, at Washington, to convey the
land to the company, work was begun. At the outset, much strife was engen
dered over the route the road should take, several towns vying with each other
in their efforts to obtain not only the road through their midst, but the com-
mencement of the branch to Chicago. The question was finally decided by the
State selecting a route as direct as possible, through a region containing as
much unsold land as possible, thereby gaining all the land she could. The
main line ran from Cairo north to Central City, where the Chicago branch
diverged in the direction of that city, taking in its route Coles County. The
main stem continued north through Decatur, Bloomington, La Salle, Avhere it
encountered the soutliern end of the canal, and on northward, ending at Galena.
Thus, by rare sagacity, a company of capitalists found themselves in possession
of a magnificent railway, built from the proceeds of bonds issued by them
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 279
secured by the lands, without the outlay of a dollar of their own money. They
set aside a certain part of the lands, the proceeds of which were to be applied
to the interest on the bonds. The prices realized for all these lands ranged
from |5 to |55 per acre, and as the road opened, an immense region of hitherto
unproductive lands, the sales on the part of both the road and the Government
were simply enormous. The Government was the real gainer, for much of the
lands had been in the market over thirty years and had not found a purchaser.
Now, the railway promised a speedy outlet for farm produce ; towns and
villages sprung into existence with Western-like prodigality, and before a decade
of years had passed, the enterprise had yielded a hundred-fold. It was the
first subsidy granted any railroad by the Government — a practice which, we are
prone to say, has, in a measure, been somewhat abused.
The Illinois Central Road was completed and in full running order by the
winter of 1856, a year and a half from the time the memorialists agreed to
make it, they having been delayed in getting the grant of land properly deeded
to them by the Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington. Construction-
trains were running that winter, and on January 1, 1856, says Mr. Frank Alli-
son, of Mattoon, a passenger-train made the first run from Chicago to Cairo.
This railway is one of the longest in the West, and from the 7 per cent of
its earnings a revenue accrues to the State amounting now to over a half-million
dollars annually. This, the Company has at various times endeavored to reduce
or change ; but the people have set their faces against it, and, not long since,
have placed it beyond the reach of the Legislature, by a constitutional amend-
ment to the organic law of the State.
OTHER RAILROADS.
In addition to the two extensive lines of railway crossing the county, three
others have been added since the war ; none, however, so great or having such
history as their predecessors.
The close of the late rebellion threw upon the country a large force of
unemployed men, and a vast amount of capital. This latter was used in open-
ing new enterprises, and, as the States had learned to let such affairs alone, men
with tact and energy stood ready to enter upon them. A railroad from Mattoon
to Danville ; from Mattoon to Gray ville, thence to Evansville ; from Charleston
to several other towns in the State, was proposed, while roads in various direc-
tions across the county were projected. Of these enterprises we will mention
none save the successful ones : the Grayville & Mattoon, the Decatur, Mattoon
& Southern, and the Illinois Midland.
The Grayville & Mattoon Railroad began to be talked about as early as
1866. One effort brought on another, and in the columns of the Mattoon
papers, from that time down to 1872 and 1873, large-headed articles appear
every week or so, all prophesying great results. Townships along the line of
the proposed road gave liberally in bonds and private subscriptions, as those
280 FilSTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
along the line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis had done, and a speedy comple-
tion was expected. Only twenty-eight or thirty miles of grading were com-
pleted, however, and that in Richland County, and for four or five years the
road lay dormant. In 1874, a new company was formed, and by two years
had the grading completed to the south line of Coles County. Work was con-
tinued on up through the county, at first running the line to intersect the
Illinois Central about a mile south of Mattoon. The grade was made here ;
but afterward changed, and brought directly into the town. It was all com-
pleted and the track laid by July 4, 1878, and on that day a grand excursion,
under the care of J. H. Herkimer, the Receiver, was inaugurated, and a hila-
rious day made along the route. The road has been operating since then, and
has had a good local trade, the freight business especially being quite heavy.
A. short time ago, Mr. Herkimer and his associate officers resigned, from various
causes, and were succeeded by E. B. Phillips, Receiver; M. H. Riddell, Gen-
eral Traveling Agent ; S. C. Anthony, General Clerk, and S. M. Henderson,
Roadmaster. This road received $75,000 in bonds from Mattoon Township
and the city ; from the former, two-thirds, and from the latter, one-third. The
vote on this question was held in Mattoon, Tuesday, February 9, 1869 ; 444
votes were cast in favor of the tax, and 7 against it. Whether the town and
township are justified in such a heavy debt, in addition to several others of a
similar character, i. e., the $60,000 for the shops, is a serious question, and one
which conservative citizens are inclined to doubt.
The Decatur, Mattoon & Southern Railroad was begun in 1871, and com-
pleted to Hervey City, seven miles from Decatur, by 1873. Here, this Com-
pany was allowed a joint use of the Illinois Midland Company's ti-ack to
Decatur, which the courts afterward decided they were entitled to, and which
they yet use.
January 16, 1874, the road passed into a Receiver's hands, and the name
changed to the present one, it being formerly known as the Decatur, Sullivan
& Mattoon Railroad. Since that date, the Receiver has been managing it. It
is run in connection with the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road, and is under the
care of Mr. E. B. McClure as Manager. Mr. W. H. Lewis is the General
Agent. Both these gentlemen reside at Mattoon, and are connected with the
Indianapolis & St. Louis Road.
The remaining road, the Illinois Midland Railway, runs through but a small
part of Coles County. It crosses the township of Oakland from east to west,
passing through the village. The road runs from Terre Ha.ute to Peoria, and
is in three divisions, which originally were separate roads ; Avhen consolidated,
the present name was adopted. The part running through Coles County was
built from Decatur to Paris, under the name of the Paris & Decatur Railroad.
It was completed in 1871, and, for a time, used the track of the Indianapolis &
St. Louis Road from Paris to Terre Haute. When the Paris & Terre Haute
Road was completed, in 1875, it formed a junction with that road, and, soon
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 281
after, consolidated with it. Only about six miles of this railroad passes through
Coles County, and that in the extreme northeast part, in Oakland Township, in
whose history it is more fully noticed.
While on the history of railroads, it might not be amiss to say something
about telegraphs. They were, in their infancy, regarded as somewhat super-
natural, as all things are apt to be when we cannot understand them ; and, when
a line was brought through Coles County in advance of the railway, it is related
that it was not uncommon for some of the worthy citizens to hourly gaze upon it to
see the news flash along. Their desires were, however, not gratified. They
couldn't see the news ; but they thought they could hear it, especially when
they stood near a post and heard the ring caused by the vibration of the wires,
with the air passing over them. The supposition lasted very satisfactorily until
they found out better, and was as harmless as deceptive.
The first operator in town was Fred Tubbs, and was succeeded by W. W.
Craddock. They were here in 1850, at the time the railways of the State
began their second era of construction, and have since been prominently known
in the county. Other lines were added to the one running east and west across
tiie county, as the railways were bujlt and the utility of such inventions became
apparent. Now, they run in all directions, and one can talk with another, even
though a continent be between them. Should the telephone supersede the tel-
egraph, as it bids fair to do, those of the future will see a result almost beyond
our conception. political and Wak record.
In the days of Whigs and Democrats, Coles was a Whig county by several
hundred majority, in contests where party lines were closely drawn. Upon the
organization of the Republican party, a change came over the color of its poli-
tics, and for a number of years it was Democratic; but, eventually, the Repub-
licans gained the ascendency, and for several years carried the day in all impor-
tant elections. At the present time, the political question is toned down to a
point, that both of the great parties claim to be the dark horse. At the last
Presidential election, the county Avas carried by the Hayes Electors by a small
majority. In the local elections of the last few years, the spoils have been
pretty equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. The present
county oificers and their political faith are thus represented : Hon. J. R. Cun-
. ningham, County Judge, Democrat ; J. F. Goar, County Treasurer, Repub-
lican ; William R. Highland, County Clerk, Democrat ; W. E. Robinson,
Circuit Clerk, Republican. The latter was elected by a small majority, and
his election contested by Mr. Clarke, his Democratic competitor for the office.
The case was tried in the County Court, and occupied the spare moments of
Judge Adams, of that august tribunal, from December until the June follow-
ing, when it was decided in Robinson's favor. Clarke, still unsatisfied, appealed
to the Supreme Court, which body confirmed the decision of the County Court,
and thus Mr. Robinson's title to the office was settled. The other county offi-
282 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
cers — J. E. Brooks, Sheriff; T. J. Lee, Superintendent of Schools ; and John
L. Aubert, County Surveyor — are Democrats. Such is the political record of
the county. It is probable, however, that, in a State or national contest, with
a full vote on both sides, the Republicans would carry the day.
Coles County's war history is written in characters of blood upon a hun-
dred battle-fields. Citizens of Coles have figured in every war, from the Revo-
lution down to the great rebellion that shook the republic to its very founda-
tion. In many of the Indian wars of the times, they have borne an honorable
part. Upon the records of the County Commissioner's Court of 1835, we
find the certificates of Elisha Hadden, John Parker, Joseph Painter, John
Hart and Griffin Tipsoward, made under oath to the Commissioners' Court for
the purpose of obtaining a pension under an act of the United States Congress
passed in 1832. These parties made oath to their services in the armies of the
United States during the Revolutionary war and the Avars with the Indians of
those times. Hadden stated on his oath that he was in the battle of King's
Mountain, in North Carolina, "against the British and Tories;" and that,
in a battle soon after with the Cherokee Indians, he was wounded, and for
three months lay in the fort helpless, and was then carried home to North Carolina
on a litter. Painter testified that he was in the Revolutionary battle of Eutaw
Springs, and several skirmishes in North Carolina. Hart, that he entered the
service of the United States in 1776, and served under Gen. Clarke, and was
in several battles with the Indians. Griffin Tipsoward, that he entered the
service in Virginia, in 1775, and at the close of the war was discharged by
Gen. Washington,
In the war of 1812, many of the pioneers of this county had participated,
as elsewhere noticed, and some are still living who took part in that struggle
with Johnny Bull. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, an entire company from
Coles County (then in her infancy) responded to the call of the Governor for
troops. Many of them are still surviving. The officers of this company
were : James P. Jones, Captain ; Thomas Sconce, Isaac Lewis and James Law,
Lieutenants. In the Mexican war, notwithstanding it was considered a Demo- .
cratic issue and Coles was a Whig county, a full company was raised and par-
ticipated in many of the battles, among which were those of Vera Cruz and
Cerro Gordo. The officers of the company were : W. W. Bishop, Captain ;
J. J. Adams, First Lieutenant ; H. C. Dunbar, Second Lieutenant, and
Charles Jones, Orderly Sergeant. Bishop and Adams are dead, Dunbar lives
in Texas, and several of the rank and file are still living in the county.
In the war of the rebellion. Coles County furnished quite a little army.
The Seventh and Eighth Regiments of three-months men, each drew a com-
pany from the county ; the Seventh a company from Mattoon, and the Eighth
a company from Charleston. The Twenty-first (Grant's old regiment) con-
tained many men from Coles, as well as the Twenty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, Fifty-
fourth, Sixty-second and One Hundred and Twenty-third Volunteers and the
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 288
Fifth Cavalry. The One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment contained
seven companies that were called Coles County companies. In a history like
this, however, it is impossible to give a complete and correct record of a
county's participation in the late war. Space will not permit. Besides, from
the records that have been kept, it is not an easy matter to obtain the names of
all who deserve mention. Therefore, we shall make no attempt to particular-
ize any one, but will add that the record of Coles County soldiers is above
reproach. Their deeds are engraved upon the hearts of their countrymen, and
their reward is found in the happy reflection that the old flag still floats over
all the States. And for those who laid down their lives to maintain the Union,
and whose lone graves are fanned by Southern winds, we know of no better
meed to their bravery, no sweeter tribute to their memory, than the beautiful
lines from the pen of Col. Theodore O'Hara, of Kentucky, and dedicated to
the heroes of that State who fell in the Mexican war, when their bones were
collected and interred in the State Cemetery at Frankfort :
"The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo !
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few ;
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glorj guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead ! "
These beautiful lines, written for the Kentucky dead of the Mexican war,
have been adopted by Massachusetts and inscribed upon a splendid monument
erected to her dead heroes of the late war. They are a touching tribute to the
soldier who lays down his life for his country and sleeps the eternal sleep,
never more to heed the call to arms until the last reveille shall sound from the
battlements of heaven. Peace to their ashes.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
There are few individuals, and perhaps few countries, but have some dark
pages in their histories. To err is human nature, and to say that the people of
Coles County, or certain classes of them, have sometimes erred is but to pro-
claim them human — not divine. The murder of Nathan Ellington by Adolph
Monroe, in October, 1855, was a horrible affair, and, considering all the circum-
stances, pe(?uliarly distressing. Ellington is said to have been a man of
most excellent character, and highly respected by all who knew him. Mon-
roe was his son-in-law. He was a young man of commanding appearance,
fine address, and had once stood high in the community, but had fallen
a prey to intoxicating drink. A family feud was engendered, and one
day, in an altercation with his father-in-law, he drew « revolver and shot
him dead. For this crime he was tried by a jury of his peers, found
guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hanged. The day
284 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
of execution came, and though in midwinter (the 14th of February, 1856;,
and the ground white with snow, a great multitude gathered at the county's
capital to witness the fulfillment of the law. The heavens were dark,
as if draped in the " gloom of earthquake and eclipse," and the elements seemed
poisoned with the spirit of vengeance, as manifested by the immense crowd which
had assembled, not only from this, but from adjoining counties. In the mean
time, a respite of thirty days was granted by the Governor to the doomed man.
This produced a terrible commotion in the multitude, now changed into a howl-
ing mob, and threw it into the most insane excitement. It swayed back and
forth from the Court House to the prisoner's cell, and resolved and re-resolved.
The death of the fated man, in violation of law, was determined upon. His
prison was assaulted by the mob, the officers of the law intimidated and over-
come, and Monroe taken out of jail by ruthless hands. He was dragged to the
valley west of town by the infuriated people, where a gallows was speedily
erected, the doomed wretch lifted into a wagon, the rope adjusted, his limbs
pinioned, the wagon moved from under him, and, without shrift, hurled into
eternity. Monroe said to one man at the gallows : " I die, and if I go to hell,
you will go to the same place, for you it was that sold me the whisky that has
brought me to this terrible fate." What a haunting memory to cling to one
through life ! It is scarce necessary to add that all the best people were
universal in their condemnation of the dissrraceful affair.
Another dark page in the history of Coles 'County was the riot which took
place in Charleston during the stormy scenes occasioned by the late war, and
the diversity of opinion with which the people regarded it. It is a fact much
to be regretted that, with a record for patriotism second to no county in the
State (as reckoned by the number of soldiers furnished), that such an event
should have occurred to tarnish that glorious record. Doubtless both parties,
the citizens and soldiers, were more or less to blame for the collision which took
place between them, and in like manner responsible for the melancholy result.
Of all the wars that have scourged the earth, a civil war is the most deplorable.
In England's war of the roses, we have an illustration of the direful results of
such a strife, and in our own internecine war we equaled, if we did not excel,
the rival houses of York and Lancaster. It may be that the high-wrought ex-
citement of the times presented an eligible excuse for the scene enacted in
Charleston on the 29th of March, 1864, between the same people (brothers as
it were) who saw the cause and object of the war through different 'glasses. The
death of several persons in the streets of Charleston was the sad consequence
of that difference of opinion. The feelings engendered by the war, which cul-
minated in bloodshed, have long since toned down, and the participators in the
deplorable affair (to call it by its mildest name) doubtless regret the part they
acted in it. So, in no spirit of censure beyond a condemnation of mob violence
on general principles, we will pass from the subject, flinging over the sad occur-
rence the spacious robe of charity.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 285
In his Centennial Address, Capt. Adams narrates a melancholy occurrence
in the township of Hickory, at or near Hickory Grove. In the winter
of 1830-31, which is characterized in the history of Illinois as one of
unusual severity, three men froze to death near this grove. They had under-
taken to cross the prairie on horse-back ; the ground was covered with snow
to a considerable depth, and the air piercingly cold. In their last extremity,
they killed their horses, and, taking out their entrails, crawled into the warm
carcasses, but before relief reached them they succumbed to the " Icy King of
Terrors." The following is from the same source of information : " In 1831,
three men of the name of Ellis were killed by lightning, in the southwest part
of the county. The accident occurred on Wednesday, and they were not found
until the Saturday following. When discovered, their bodies were as limber as
that of a living person, and never stiffened like a body that meets death from
natural causes. It was supposed that the lightning had broken the bones
without rupturing the skin."
Passing from the grave to the gay, from the sad to the ludicrous, it becomes
our duty, as a faithful historian, to chronicle an event that took place in Coles
County in 1834, which, while it had a somewhat ludicrous termination, was
begun in earnest, by one of the parties engaged in it, at least. The circum-
stance referred to, was a duel fought in Charleston, by Peter Glassco and John
Gately. A difficulty had arisen between them, which blood alone could satisfy
or settle, and, accordingly, they resorted to the code of honor to avenge their
wounded dignity. A challenge was sent and accepted, seconds were selected
and the weapons (big " boss " pistols) were chosen. The hostile parties met,
with ten paces between them, and proceeded to wipe out their wrongs in the most
approved style. The seconds loaded the pistols with blank cartridges, without
Glassco's knowledge, however, who, it seems, was the most belligerent of the
two, and the most deeply grieved. Finally, when all was ready, the principals
were placed by the seconds, one, two, three, were called, and both parties fired.
Gately fell, and his second, who had provided a bottle of pokeberry-juice for
the purpose, ran to him and dexterously saturated his clothes with the contents
of the bottle, thus giving him a most ghastly appearance. Glassco, petrified
with terror, gazed at his bleeding victim, and, horrified at the " ruin he had
wrought," exclaimed, " My God, I have killed him,", threw away his pistol
and fled. About a year afterward, he was apprised of the fact that the
duel was a "put-up job," and that Gately still lived, when, with the horror of
murder removed from his soul, he returned to the county. He never fought
another duel.
That scourge of the human race, the Asiatic cholera, one of the gifts of the
Old World to the new, made a visit, in 1851, to Coles County. For a time
"it made itself exceedingly odious and repulsive," says one, "and old and
young alike were the victims of the fell disease." As is usually the case, it visited
certain localities only, Charleston and Pleasant Grove Township being the suf-
286 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
ferers. In these sections, many cases occurred ; some of them proved fatal,
"while others recovered. The greatest consternation and excitement prevailed.
Those not sick became panic-stricken, and fled in confusion and dismay. How
many died of the disease cannot now be ascertained. Distressing as was the
ordeal and melancholy in its result, yet it had its humorous side. A very
amusing anecdote is told of Hon. 0. B. Ficklin's grim fight with the awful
disease. He was attacked in the harvest-field, rushed home and went to bed,
sent for all the doctors in town, called his wife and children to his bedside, bade
them good-by, and kissed them one by one, concluding with his old colored
cook, and prepared to die with the cholera. He dropped off to sleep, from
which he awoke, a few hours later, completely restored. Having slept off the
natural exhaustio7i (!) of the harvest-field, "Richard was himself again."
AVe spoke of a murder and a lynching, a little space ago. Charleston can
boast of several other murders within her time. But we shall not go into
details concerning them. Such incidents are better forgotten than perpetuated
upon the pages of history. We will, therefore, pass them without further
remark in this connection.
THE GRAVE OF LINCOLN'S FATHER.
Thomas Lincoln, the father of the martyred President, was among the
early settlers of Coles County. He removed from Kentucky (where the future
President was born) to Spencer County, Ind., in 1816, when Abraham was
but seven years old. Here he remained until 1830, when he removed to Macon
County, 111., and located on the North Fork of the Sangamon River, ten
miles southwest of Decatur. He came to Coles County about 1832-33, and
settled in what is now Pleasant Grove Township : but Abraham, having in the
mean time attained his majority, and commenced the battle of life on his own
responsibility, did not come with the family to this county. In after years
however, when he became a praccicing lawyer, he often attended the courts of
Coles County, in which cases he never failed to visit his father in Pleasant
Grove, and, it is said, always purchased as many presents (generally of a sub-
stantial character) as he could stow in his buggy, and conveyed them to the
family, who were in indigent circumstances. Stuve's History of Illinois gives
the following of President Lincoln's family : " Abraham Lincoln was born in
La Rue (now Hardin) County, Ky., about two miles south of the village
of Hodgensville, February 12, 1809. Here his father had taken up a land-
claim of 300 acres, rough, broken and poor, containing a fine spring, known to
this day as the ' Linkum Spring.' Unable to pay for the unproductive land,
the claim Avas abandoned, and the family moved from place to place in the
neighborhood, being very destitute. These removals occurring while Abraham
was scarcely more than an infant, has given rise to different statements as to
the exact place of his birth. It is said that in that part of Kentucky four
places now claim the honor." Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 287
finally removed to Indiana, and then to Illinois, as above stated, and died years
ago in Pleasant Grove Township. There, in a quiet little cemetery, known as
*' Gordon's Grave-yard," without stone or "lettered monument" to mark the
spot, sleeps the old pioneer. We give below a poem, entitled the " Grave of
the Father of Abraham Lincoln," written by G. B. Balch, Esq., of Pleasant
Grove, and published in many journals throughout the country, from Lippin-
€otfs Magazine to the county papers :
" In a low, sweet vale, by a murmuring rill,
The pioneer's ashes are sleeping;
Where the white marble slabs so lonely and still,
In silence their vigils are keeping.
" On their sad, lonely faces are words of fame.
But none of them speak of his glory ;
When the pioneer died, his age and his name.
No monument whispers the story.
"No myrtle, nor ivy, nor hyacinth blows
O'er the lonely grave where they laid him ;
No cedar, nor holly, nor almond tree grows
Near the plebeian's grave to shade him.
" Bright evergreens wave over many a grave,
O'er some bow the sad weeping-willow ;
But no willow-trees bow, nor evergreens wave,
Where the pioneer sleeps on his pillow.
" Some are inhumed with the honors of State,
And laid beneath temples to molder ;
The grave of the father of Lincoln, the great.
Is known by a hillock and bowlder.
" Let him take his lone sleep, and gently rest,
With naught to disturb or awake him,
When the angels shall come to gather the blest
To Abraham's bosom, they'll take him.''
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION.
The geological deposits and formations of Coles County possess but little
interest or importance, as compared to many other sections of Illinois. The
soil of the prairies is of considerable thickness, of a deep black, or dark brown
color, and very rich and productive. Beneath this soil, according to the geo-
logical survey of the State, is a loamy clay, which also produces well with
proper cultivation. The most important feature of the geology of the county,
however, is the coal-deposit, which is supposed to underlie the county. A man
of the name of Owens, years ago, discovered coal, and a very good quality, too,
near where John Mickleblack now lives. Recent investigations, we are
informed, have developed the fact that not exceeding five hundred feet below
the surface, coal abounds in great abundance. Doubtless the time is not far
distant when these coal-fields will become a source of industry, as well as of
great value to the country. According to geological survey, three-fourths of
288 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
the surface of Illinois are underlaid by beds of coal, and consequently have a
greater area of this valuable fuel than any other State of the Union. A
scientific writer speaks thus upon the formation and discovery of coal : '• The
vast accumulation of vegetable matter from carboniferous plants, either im-
bedded in the miry soil in which it grew, or swept from adjacent elevations
into shallow lakes, became covered with sediment, and thus were transformed
into coal. It has been estimated that eight perpendicular feet of wood were
required to make one foot of bituminous coal, and twelve to make one foot of
anthracite. Some beds of the latter are thirty feet in thickness, and hence
360 feet of timber must have beqn consumed in their production. The process
of its formation was exactly the same as practiced in the manufacture of char-
coal, by burning wood under a covering of earth. Vegetable tissue consists
mostly of carbon and oxygen, and decomposition must take place, either under
water or some other impervious covering, to prevent the elements from forming
carbonic-acid gas, and thus escaping to the atmosphere. Conforming to these
requirements the immense vegetable growths forming the coal-fields subsided
with the surface on which they grew, and were buried beneath the succeeding
deposits. Nova Scotia has seventy-six different beds, and Illinois twelve ; and
consequently, in these localities, there were as many different fields of verdure
overwhelmed in the dirt-beds of the sea. Thus, long before the starry cycles
had measured half the history of the unfolding continent, and when first the
expanding stream of life but dimly reflected the coming age of mind, this vast
supply of fuel was stored away in the rocky frame-work of the globe. Here it
slumbered until man made his appearance and dragged it from its rocky lairs.
At his bidding, it renders the factory animate with humming spindles, driving
shuttles, whirling lathes and clanking forges. Under his guidance the iron-
horse, feeding upon its pitchy fragments, bounds and tireless treads over its far-
reaching track, dragging after him the products of distant marts and climes.
By the skill of the one and the power of the other, the ocean steamer plows the
deep in opposition to winds and waves, making its watery home a highway for
the commerce of the world.
Beyond the coal-beds underlying the surface, the county, as we have said,
is not very rich in geology. There are, we believe, some stone-beds along the
Embarrass River, but the quality of the stone is poor and of but little value for
building purposes. With this brief glance at the geological features, we will
leave the subject, referring the reader to the Geological Survey of the State
for further information on this interesting point of history.
THE COUNTY PRESS.
The first newspaper was established in Coles County -in 1840, and was
called the Charleston Courier. But as the township history will contain a
more complete account of the press, we shall have little to say on the subject
in this chapter. We wish, however, to leave on record our impression of the
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 289
value of the files of county papers as sources of history. Their pages give
a picture from week to week of both national and local events, which can be
found nowhere else. Even the advertisements give much history, and we
think there ought to be a provision made for keeping such files in the county
and city offices.
There are at present in Coles County six newspapers, viz. : the Courier and
Plaindealer, of Charleston ; the Oommercial, Journal and G-azette, of Mattoon ;
and the Herald, of Oakland. These are live, energetic newspapers, well filled
with the news of the day (this is not an advertisement), and deserve the liberal
support of the people of the county.
CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP.
"The proud bird,
The condor of the Andes, that can soar
Through heaven's unfathomable depths, or brave,
The fury of the northern hurricane
And bathe his plumage in the thunder's home.
Furls his broad wings at nightfall, and sinks down
To rest upon his mountain-crag ; but Time
Knows not the weight of sleep or weariness,
And night's deep darkness has no chain to bind
His rilshing pinions." — Prentice.
*' Time, fierce spirit of the glass and scythe," sets his signet upon the fading
race of men, and they pass away "as a tale that is told." The "enduring
marble" points us to the spot where sleep the pioneers whose magic touch
changed this country from a " howling waste" to the paradise we find it to-day.
More than fifty years have " flung their sunshines and shadows o'er the world "
since the first white people came to Charleston Township and proceeded to set-
tle themselves to " grow up with the country." Fifty years ! How much has
transpired in that half-century that has come and gone since the " star of
empire " crossed the " raging" Embarrass and paused for a moment over this
fair region. We have neither time nor space to particularize the changes that
have taken place in all these rolling years. Go ask the few old gray-heads
still left how they have seen the palace take the place of the " pole cabin," the
railway-train that of the patient, plodding ox, and the " wilderness rejoice and
blossom as the rose." They can tell you of these changes far better than we,
for they are things ' all of which they saw and part of which they were.' Ours
is the duty to give the dry, historical details, and faithfully we shall endeavor
to perform the task. ^. „„^.xm
^ THE EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first permanent settlement was made in Charleston Township in 1825.
In that year, Seth H. Bates settled here, having removed from Crawford
County. Jesse Veach, then a young man of eighteen, "moved" him to this
290 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
neighborhood, and informs us that there was not a family then on this side of
the Embarrass River. Bates was originally from Ohio, but had been living
some ten years in Crawford County before emigrating to this. He remained
here but a short time, however, when he sold out and removed to the Kickapoo
settlement, in what is now La Fayette Township, where he is noticed further.
In the fall of 1826, Enoch Glassco and his sons, Kimball, Madison and Enoch
Glassco, Jr., came from Kentucky and settled just north of the present city of
Charleston. They are said to have been almost as tall as the giant oaks of
their native State — not one of them but stood more than six feet in his stock-
ings. Enoch Glassco, Jr., is still living and resides in Charleston ; Kimball
lives in Tuscola, and Madison died some three years ago. A daughter of the
elder Glassco married James Y. Brown, who came to the settlement soon after.
Mrs. Permelia Gobin was also a daughter of Glassco. In 1827, the Parkers
came to this neighborhood and settled on what is now Anderson's Addition to
the city of Charleston. They were of the family of Parkers mentioned in the
general county history as settling, originally, Parker's Prairie. Benjamin
Parker was one of the most noted, perhaps, of those who settled in this town-
ship. He was a son of old " High" Johnny Parker, as he was called, the old
"hard-shell" Baptist preacher. It is told of him (old " High" Johnny) that,
one Sunday, after he had closed his sermon, he gave out an appointment " to
preach at that place, that day four weeks, if it was not a good day for bee-
hunting." He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and, as a reward for his
services, received a pension under the act of Congress of 1832. The following
certificate appears on the early records of the County Commissioners' Court :
Stat« OK Illinois, )
Coles County, j '
On the 15th day of October, personally appeared in open Court before Isaac Lewis and
James S. Martin, County Commissioners for the county of Coles, now sitting and constituting
said Court for said county and State aforesaid, John Parker, a resident of the United States of
America, in the county of Coles and State of Illinois, aged seventy-four years, who, being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 : That he entered the service of the
United States, under the following-named officers, and served as herein stated ; that he enlisted
under Capt. Fields, Col. Slaughter commander of the regiment. Gen. Greene's Brigade;
entered the service of the United States in October, 1777, and left the service in twelve months
thereafter ; that again he entered the United States service under Capt. Callier, of Col. Alexan-
der's regiment. That he was drafted in the latter end of 177D, and mai'ched through Winchester,
Va., into Pennsylvania, and was stationed on a creek called Ten-Mile Creek, in Pennsylvania ;
was in no engagements, and that he has no documentary evidence. That he remained twelve
months each term of service, making two whole years. That he received a discharge from Capt.
Callier, and that it is now lost. That he was boi-n September 5, 1758, in the ^State of Mary-
land, Baltimore County; that the only record of his age is taken from his father's Bible, now
in his possession; that he lived in Culpeper County, Va., when called into service; that
he lived in the State of Georgia seventeen years ; thence to Tennessee, Hickman County ; thence
to the Territory of Illinois, in the year 1815, in which State he now resides, and in the county
of Coles. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present, and
he declares that his name is not on the pension-roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. John Parker.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 291
This certificate is attested by Griffin Tipsoward, who was also a Revolution-
ary soldier, and the Commissioners add their certificate, that after fully
investigating the case, and " putting the interrogations prescribed by the War
Department, " believe he was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as stated in
the foregoing declaration.
There were James, Silas, Nathaniel and Daniel Parker, who were all brothers
of Benjamin Parker. Daniel Pai'ker was also a Baptist preacher of the hard-
shell or ironside faith, and mentioned in the history of Edgar County as one of
the first preachers in that county. He together, with Benjamin and Silas Par-
ker, finally removed to Texas, where the latter two were killed by the Comanche
Indians. They had bought a lot of cattle, and were herding them when the
Comanches are supposed to have come upon them, drove them to their herder's
shanty and murdered them, as when found their bodies were sticking full of
arrows. A daughter of one of the Parkers was captured by the Indians, after
their removal to Texas, and kept for some time in captivity. When released,
she wrote a narrative, descriptive of her trials and sufferings while among the
savages, which many of the people siill living in this neighborhood have read.
Old " High " Johnny Parker went to Texas with his son Benjamin. The old
gentleman was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and as such. Col. Dunbar
succeeded in getting a pension for him, as a reward for his services in fightini:
for the independence of his country. There are still many descendants of the
Parkers living, who are among the substantial men of Coles County.
Charles S. Morton was another of the very early pioneers of Charleston
Township, and one of the energetic and enterprising men of that early
day. He was from Fayette County, Ky., within three miles of the city of
Lexington, the home of Henry Clay. Though he came to a rich county, it
does not equal that which he left. Fayette County is in the very heart of the
blue-grass region, than which no finer land is to be found below the sun, and
Lexington possesses more wealth (to the amount of population), perhaps, than
any city in the United States. Mr. Morton came to this settlement in tho
spring of 1829, and brought his wife Avith him to look at the country, thus con-
sulting her taste and happiness in the selection of a home, as all good men ought
to do. Three months later, he brought his children to his new home. We have
said that he was an enterprising man. He kept the first store in Charleston
Township — brought the goods with him when he came to the country and opened
them out in a small pole cabin, where he continued business until Charleston
was laid out, when he moved into the village, and was the first merchant
here also. He also had the first horse-mill in the township, and his residence
was the first in the neighborhood, perhaps in the county, that could boast of the
luxury of a glass window, and we are creditably informed that people came for
miles to see how a house looked with the modern improvement of a glass window.
He built a row of pole cabins near where the Charleston post office now stands,
which were known as the Penitentiary, and these he would let to families mov-
292 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
ing to the settlement three months free of rent, which time sufficed, if they
were industrious, to provide a cabin of their own. A daughter of Mr. Morton
married Dr. Ferguson, and another J. K. Decker, Esq., and a son, Charles
II. Morton, lives in Chicago. Capt. Adams thus speaks of him in an address
delivered by hira some time ago: "Mr. Morton traveled down through the
journey of life among us, bearing an irreproachable reputation for truth and
integrity, and has left behind him children, grandchildren and great-grandchil-
dren, all intelligent and prosperous, and scattered^^from here to Chicago." He
died in January, 1848. Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Decker still can describe very
vividly how, in their young days, they used to dance on puncheon floors and
dirt floors and any other kind of floors, and that, too, as often as a fiddler could
be obtained. As musicians were scarce, whenever one chanced to present him-
self it was invariably the signal for a dance, which was usually prolonged
." All night, till broad daylight,"
when the boys would
" Go home with the girls in the morning."
Col. A. P. Dunbar is another of the pioneers of Charleston, who came here
from the " Dark and Bloody Ground." He is a native of Fleming County,
and came to Illinois in 1828, but returned to Kentucky, where he read law and
was admitted to the bar, and, in 1831, came back to Coles County and located in
Charleston, and was the first lawyer to hang out a "shingle" in this city. He
was elected to the State Legislature in 1836, when Coles County embraced
Cumberland and Douglas Counties, and was re-elected in 1844-45, and, at this
session, had Abraham Lincoln for his deskmate. His father, Alexander Dun-
bar, was a soldier of 1812 and was with Commodore Perry in the battle on Lake
Erie. Col. Dunbar's law library was destroyed by fire in 1877, since which
time he has retired from the practice of laAV. Among the early settlers of this
township are Levi, Samuel and James Doty, and John Bates, who settled in the
southeast part of the town about 1830-31. They came from Crawfoi'd County,
but were originally from Kentucky. Levi and James Doty still live in the
township, and Samuel moved away years ago. Bates, also, is living yet in the
town.
Charleston Township, as well as the entire county, was originally settled
mostly by Southern people, Kentucky, perhaps, contributing the largest delega-
tion to the population. In addition to the names already mentioned, we have
from the old Blue-Grass State, Thomas G. and Dr. W. M. Chambers, Isaac N.
Craig, Edmund Curd, Alexander Perkins, John Monroe, Levi Hackett, James
M. Miller, Richard and Thomas Stoddert, Col. Thomas A. Marshall, Hon. U.
F. Linder, Dr. Samuel Van Meter and Hon. 0. B. Ficklin, and probably others
whose names we have failed to obtain. The Chamberses were from Harrison
County. Thomas came to Illinois in 1838, and settled in Charleston, where he
still lives. He commenced his business life as clerk in'a dry goods store, and,
in 1840, embarked in the business for himself, and continued it until 1866,
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 295
when he established the banking house of T. G. Chambers & Co. In 1866, he
became President of the First National Bank, which position he now holds.
He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and has always manifested a
lively interest in the Coles County Agricultural Society, together with many
other enterprises calculated to promote the interests of the city and county.
He is also President of the Old Settlers' Association. Dr. Chambers gradu-
ated as a physician in Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky., in 1833,
and practiced his profession in that State until his removal to Coles County, in
1855. In 1861, he was appointed Brigade Surgeon in the Union army, by
President Lincoln, and served in the Army of the Cumberland until 1865. He
has been President of the State Medical Society, both of Kentucky and Illi-
nois. Isaac Craig is a native of Montgomery County, and came to Illinois
with his father's family in 1828, settling in Clark County. Here he remained
until 1835, when he came to Coles County, where he has since resided. He
was one of the prominent farmers of this township, until his retirement from
active business. He is a stockholder and Director in the Second National
Bank of Charleston. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, he served in the Sec-
ond Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, under Gen. M. K. Alexander, of Paris.
Edmund Curd was born in Jessamine County, and from there removed to
Hardin County, Ohio, where he remained a few years, and then came to this
township, arriving here in 1836, and entered into partnership in the saddlery
business with John R. Jeffries, who had come to the place a short time previ-
ous. For more than thirty years, he continued in this business. His grand-
father removed to Kentucky from Virginia at an early day, and settled on the
Kentucky River where the Southern Railroad now crosses it. His grandfather's
little family consisted of fifteen children, and from them almost that entire
neighborhood was peopled. Alexander Perkins went from Kentucky when
quite young, with his parents, to Marion County, Ind., where he grew to man-
liood, and removed to Charleston in 1836. He was one of the early brick
manufacturers in the county. Hon. John Monroe was from Barren County,
and came to this township in 1833. He read medicine with Dr. George Rogers,
of Glasgow, Ky., but never practiced the profession. He was an active busi-
ness man, and accumulated a handsome property. He served a term in the
State Legislature, and died in Charleston, in 1877. Levi Hacket was from
Scott County, and settled here in 1835, where he remained until 1861, when
he removed to Douglas County. James M.iMiller came from Spencer County .
to Charleston in 1838, where he still lives, a prominent merchant. Richard
and Thomas Stoddert came from Grayson County, and may be numbered
among the pioneers of Coles. The family consisted of the mother and nine
children (the father having died before leaving Kentucky), who came at dif-
ferent times from 1836 to 1838. They are descendants of the old Massachu-
setts Stodderts. The grandfather, Benjamin Stoddert, was a Major in the
Continental army in the war of the Revolution, and afterward the second Sec-
296 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
retary of the United States Navy. Thomas Stoddert settled here in 1836, and
Richard in 1838. The brothers formed a partnership in a tannery, which, in
that line, and in other departments of business, was continued for thirty years.
Richard is a man of considerable wealth, and is a large land-owner. He has
held several offices, of which County Treasurer and Sheriff are the most im-
portant. Thomas, in 1849, drove an ox-team across the plains to the land of
gold. He still lives in Charleston, and is engaged in farming and merchandis-
ing. Col. Thomas A. Marshall was born in Frankfort, and is a son of Hon.
Thomas A. Marshall, for more than twenty years a Judge of the Court of
Appeals of Kentucky. The Marshalls comprise one of the grandest old
families of Kentucky, which has, perhaps, produced more great men than any
other family in that proud old commonwealth, so prolific of great men. Col.
Marshall, after settling in Charleston, resumed the practice of his profession
(law, in which he had graduated in Kentucky), and turned his attention to
politics. In 1856, he was associated with Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull,
David Davis, John M. Palmer, and others, in the organization of the Repub-
lican party. He served two terms in the State Senate, and was a member of
the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1861, he became Colonel of the
First Illinois Cavalry, and served until the muster-out of his regiment, in the
fall of 1862. He was an able financier, and one of the first bankers in Coles
County. Dr. Samuel Van Meter came from Grayson County, with his mother's
family, and settled here about 1827. • He read medicine under Dr. Trower, and
practiced the profession until 1849, when he went overland to California, the
trip occupying five months. He remained in the Golden State a year and a
half; then returned to Charleston, and resumed the practice of the liealing art.
In 1857, he founded, in Charleston, the Illinois Infirmary, the fame of which
has extended to all parts of the country. Patients came to it from the Pacific
coast, and even from beyond the Atlantic. His partner, for a time, in this
famed institution was Dr. H. R. Allen, now of the National Surgical Institute
at Indianapolis. As an illustration of the popularity of the Illinois Infirmary,
its receipts for 1868 were ^186,000. It continued in successful operation until
1877, when Dr. Van Meter, worn out with constant care, closed it and retired
from active business. Hon. U. F. Linder was from Hardin County, and
removed to Illinois in 1835, and to Charleston in 1838, where he resided until
1860, when he removed to Chicago. He was Attorney Generalof the State
under the administration of Gov. Duncan, a man of intelligence and fine orator-
ical powers. He died June 5, 1876. Hon. 0. B. Ficklin located in Charles-
ton in 1837. He went to Missouri from Kentucky, with his parents, when
quite young, and commenced the study of the law with Henry Shurlds, Esq .
and, in the winter of 1829-30. entered the office of Robert Farris, of St. Louis,
In 1830, he Avas admitted to the bar at Belleville, 111., having been examined
by Hon. Edward Coles By the advice of Hon. William Wilson, he located at
Mount Carmel, 111., where he resided until 1837, Avhen he removed to Charles-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 297
ton, as noted above. In the Black Hawk war, he enlisted in Capt. Elias
Jurdin's company, and, upon the organization of the army, was appointed
< Quartermaster, and attached to the brigade of Gen. Alexander, of Paris. In
1834, he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and by that
body chosen State's Attorney for the Wabash Circuit. At the election in
1838, having removed to Coles, he was elected Representative from this county,
and re-elected in 1842. In 1843, was elected to Congress from the Wabash
District. His colleagues were Robert Smith, John A. McClernand, John
Wentworth, Joseph P. Ilogue, John J. Harding and Stephen A. Douglas. He
was re-elected to Congress in 1844, in 1846, and again in 1850. In 1856, was
a member of the Democratic Convention that nominated James Buchanan for
President, and one of the electors that cast the vote of Illinois for " Old
Buck." He Avas a member of the National Democratic Convention at Charles-
ton, S. C, in 1860 ; was present at the disruption of that body, and attended
the adjourned meeting at Baltimore, when Stephen A. Douglas was nominated.
In 1864, he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago,
that nominated for President Gen. George B. McClellan, He was a member
of the Constitutional Convention in 1869-70, and is at present a member of
the Legislature from this county.
Among the substantial citizens given to Charleston Township by the " Old
Dominion " — the venerable mother of States — may be numbered Albert
Compton, Isaiah H. Johnston, R. M. Coon, Dr. Thomas B. Trower, Nathan
Ellington, Jonathan Linder, the Cossells, William Frost, Leander Gillingwater,
and perhaps others. Albert Compton came from Fairfax County, and, in
1833, settled in Charleston Township. He was a shoemaker, and worked at
that trade for a number of years after coming to this neighborhood. He has
retired from active business life, and, living in the city of Charleston, he enjoys
in his old age a well-earned competence. Isaiah H. Johnston is almost a
native of Coles County, having been here since he was three years old. His
father came from Russell County, Ya., in 1830, and settled in what is now
Pleasant Grove Township, in the history of which he is noticed among the
early settlers. After the death of his father, he continued on the farm until
he was twenty-seven years of age, when he opened a store in the neighborhood.
In 1857, he removed to Mattoon, and in that city, continued the mercantile
business until 1860, when he was elected Sheriif of the county. When his
term of office expired, he resumed merchandising, and finally, in company with
T. A. Marshall and John W. True, established the banking house of T. A.
Marshall & Co., which, in 1871, became the Second National Bank of Charles-
ton. In 1873, he became its President, an office he still holds. In 1869, he
built an extensive porkhouse, and, in 1871, together with John B. Hill and
Thomas Stoddert, erected the Charleston Pork-Packing House, which receives
further notice in another chapter. R. M. Coon cannot be termed an old set-
tler of this township or of the county, but his extraordinary experience of the
298 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
early times will be of some interest in these pages. At the age of twenty-one
years, he entered the employ of a stock-drover. There were no railroads
then, and stock-trains, but the usual custom, or, rather, the invariable custom,
was to drive all stock to market. In this line of business he drove stock from
Ohio and Kentucky to Virginia, and to North and South Carolina, making
thirteen trips in this capacity across the Alleghany Mountains. He came to
Charleston in 1840, and about twenty years ago, engaged in gardening. He
has set out eight different orchards, and has eaten fruit from the last one
planted. Dr. Thomas B. Trower came to Illinois in 1830, and located in Shel-
byville. He came from Albemarle County, and after practicing his profes-
sion in Shelbyville for six years, removed to Charleston, where he still
lives. He has held many high positions in the medical fraternity, in all of
which he has discharged his duty with satisfaction to those interested. Not
only is he a fine physician, but an excellent business man, an able financier and
a statesman. He was at one time President of the Moultrie County Bank, at
Sullivan, and Vice President of the First National Bank of Charleston.
While a resident of Shelbyville, he served three terms in the State Legislature,
and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. Jonathan Lin-
der came to Coles County with his father's family previous to 1830, making
the journey in wagons, and settled in this township. Some years later, he
I'evisited his native State (West Virginia), making the trip both ways on horse-
back, a distance (the round trip) of over one thousand miles. He died in
1877, leaving one son, Jacob Linder, who lives on the old homestead. In
1829, Michael Cossell, Jr., came to the township, and the next year his father,
Michael Cossell, Sr., and two other sons, Isaac and Solomon, moved in. Isaac
and Solomon are both living, the latter in Charleston Township and the former
in Ashmore. The elder Cossell and his son Michael are dead. Nathan Elling-
ton was one of the early settlers here. He was an early Justice of the Peace,
an earlv school-teacher of Charleston and a man of most excellent character.
His tragic death was deplored by all good men. He was the first County
Clerk of Coles County, and filled the ofiice to the satisfaction of the people.
William Frost and Leander Gillingwater settled in Charleston Township about
the same time, and were both Virginians. They came to the settlement about
1830—31, and both died here. Frost but a few years ago, and Gillingwater a few
years after he came to the country.
From the Hoosier State, Charleston Township has received some good mate-
rial. Jacob K. Decker, James Skidmore and William Linder came from
Indiana. Mr. Decker is a native of Knox County, and settled in Charleston
Township in 1836. His parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Knox
County in 1810, and were living in Fort Knox, on the Wabash, at the time the
battle of Tippecanoe was fought. Mr. Decker married a daughter of the pio-
neer Charles Morton, mentioned in the beginning of this chapter, and as a
farmer and merchant has laid up a competence for old age. Mr. Skidmore
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 299
came from Owen County (Ind.) with his parents in 1833. They first settled in
Morgan Township, but remained only a few years, when they returned to
Indiana. After the death of his father, Mr. Skidmore came back to Illinois,
then went to Missouri, and finally returned to Illinois and settled in Charles-
ton, where he still lives. William Linder came here in 1835, and died in 1843.
He has a son, G. W. Linder, still living in the township.
From Tennessee, the land of cotton, the township has drawn some excellent
citizens. John Jeffries, William Collom, James Y. Brown, Isaac Lewis and
Hiram Steepleton, came from Tennessee. Jeffries came to Crawford County
with his parents when but a small boy. In 1835, he removed to Coles County
and settled in Charleston, where he engaged in the saddlery and harness busi-
ness, which he continued until November 5, 1860, the date of his death. He
served one term as Sheriff of Coles County, was an enterprising citizen, a good
business man, and accumulated a handsome property. James A. Mitchell and
William Collom were from Washington County. The latter came to Illinois
in 1829, and stopped first in Edgar County, and, in 1831, removed to Charles-
ton. He built and kept the first tavern, a log cabin of one room, in the city
of Charleston. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and fought under Gren.
Jackson against the Creek Indians ; also participated in the battle of the Horse-
Shoe. He died August 8, 1851. Mitchell settled in Charleston in 1830, and
was quite a prominent man in the neighborhood. He died many years ago,
but has a son still living in Charleston. James Y. Brown settled in Charleston
Township in 1827, and remained a resident of it until his death. Lewis
and Steepleton settled in the town in 1827, and Steepleton died here ; Lewis
moved to the north part of the State, where he was living the last known of him.
Dr. Aaron Ferguson was a native of North Carolina, and in early childhood
came with his parents to Bloomington, Ind. After attaining his majority, he
read medicine with Dr. Maxwell, and graduated in the profession at Transyl-
vania University, Lexington, Ky,, and, in 1830, located in Charleston. His
wife was a daughter of Charles Morton, mentioned as one of the early settlers
of this township. Dr. Ferguson was a close student, somewhat retiring in his
nature, never seeking public office. He died in 1876. Charles R. Briggs
came from Washington County, N. Y., to this township in 1839, and, after
farming one year, located in the city of Charleston. He has made painting
of fine stock a specialty, a profession in which he excels, as hundreds of speci-
mens of his genius to be found in the city and county testify. He opened the
first livery-stable in Charleston with one horse in it to begin with, and so
increased his trade that at one time he had in his stable forty-two horses. T.
J. Marsh came from Baltimore and settled first in what is now Morgan Town-
ship in 1836. His first residence in the wild West was a cabin built of rails,
ten feet square, in which he lived with his entire family for three months, when
they removed to Charleston. He was a carpenter and builder, and erected the
first iron-front store in Charleston. Many other monuments of his enterprise
300 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
are to be found in the citj. George Birch, whose father is noticed among the
pioneers of Ashmore ToAvnship, is a native of England, and came to America
witli liis parents in 1833. After spending a few years in Pennsylvania, they
removed to Illinois and settled in Ashmore Township, as above. He has hauled
■vfheat to Chicago in the early times for G2| cents a bushel, and driven hogs to
Clinton, Ind., for $1.25 per hundred pounds net. He has for a year or two.
been a resident of Charleston Township, and by close economy has amassed
eonsiderable property. Eli Wiley, a lawyer of Charleston, came to Illinois
with his parents in 1826, and, after spending several years in Edgar and Clark
Counties, removed to Charleston in 1835, where he still lives.
The Eastins, mentioned in the county history as first settling in Kickapoo,
as it was then called, were Charles Eastin and three sons, Van, John M. and
Harman. The elder Eastin, after a few years, moved into Charleston Town-
ship, and, after sevei'al other removals to different sections and neighborhoods,
finally died in Charleston. John M. Eastin located in this township in an
early day (about 1830) and lived for awhile with Charles Morton. He resides
at present in Charleston. Harman Eastin went to the Mexican war and was
killed. He married Miss Lavina Cox, when this county was included in Clark,
and went to Darwin for his marriage license. The Eastins were originally
from Kentucky, but had lived for a number of years in Indiana, before
coming to Illinois. They left Lexington, Ind., in February of 1830, in
wagons, and were nineteen days on the road. To add to the severity and discom-
forts of the trip, there was quite a snow, which continued on the ground during
their journey. Dr. John Carrico was a native of Meade County, Ky., and came
here about 1830-31, and was the first physician in Charleston Township. He
was also the first Representative from this county in the Legislature of the
State, and died soon after his term of service expired. Hon. James T. Cun-
'ningham, another Kentuckian, came to Coles County in 1830, and was one of
the active and energetic men of the times. He served in the Legislature dur-
ing the sessions of 1836-37, and was the choice of his party for Congress in
the campaign of 1860. Dr. Byrd Monroe, also a Kentuckian, came here in
1833, and was a man of prominence. In 1838, he was elected to the State
Senate, an office he filled very acceptably to the people he represe;ited. Isaac
Odell Avas among the early settlers in this township, but had first settled in
Pleasant Grove, where he is mentioned among the pioneers of that neighbor-
hood. A son of his is said to have been the first birth in Charleston Township.
Col. H. R. Norfolk came to Charleston Township in 1833. He was
born in Maryland, but mostly raised by an uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio, and mar-
ried his wife in Natchez, Miss. She was a native of New York, and is still living.
Col. Norfolk died in December, 1865. He was the second merchant in Charles-
ton. Reuben Canterberry came from near Lexington, Ky., and settled in
Charleston, in the fall of 1832. He died here many years ago, and his widow
married again and moved out of the county. William Martin, I. Lyman and
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 301
Gideon S. Bailey were early settlers, but of them not much could be obtained.
Bailey married the widow of James P. Jones, and moved away from the town-
ship. Robert Lightfoot came from Kentucky, and settled in the town in 1836,
and was an honest, upright man in the community. He died some three or four
years ago.
John Yeach, the father of Jesse Veach, a well-known citizen of this town-
ship, and a soldier of the war of 1812, settled here in 1828. He bought a
claim of James Riley, who had settled here a year or two before. Riley was
from Crawford County, and removed to Texas about 1833-34. Mr. Veaeh came
from Crawford County, but was born in Maryland, had been a resident of Ken-
tucky in the early days, and removed to Crawford County in 1814, when the
people, for the sake of protection, were compelled to live in forts. He was some-
time a resident of old Fort La Motte. After two years' residence in this town-
ship, he removed into La Fayette, where he is noticed in the early settlement of
that town. Jesse Veach, one of the honored citizens of Charleston Township,
settled here in 1831, but his acquaintance with this section extends back to
1825. Li that year, he " moved " a family from Crawford County to this
township — Mr. Bates, who is mentioned as the first settler in this neighborhood.
At the time of his first visit here, in 1825, there was not a family living on this
side of the Embarrass River, the whole country around the present beautiful
little city of Charleston was a wilderness untrodden by the white men. He is
still living, a hale old gentleman for one of his years, and with an excellent
memory of the early days and hardships of this country. H. Gregg settled
here in 1827, but remained in the neighborhood but a short time, when he
removed to Edgar County.
This concludes the early settlement of the township, and a history of the old
settlers, so far as we have been able to learn their names. Possibly, many names
have been omitted that deserve special mention, but with more than half a cent-
ury between "then and now," and many of the early settlers "gone home, "
and the memories of those still remaining clouded by age, renders it impossible
to get a history of every one. This must be our excuse for any omissions that
have been made.
MILLS, STORES AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
The first mill in Charleston Township was a small horye-mill erected by
Charles Morton, soon after his settlement in the neighborhood. After its erec-
tion, it was patronized extensively by the people in the vicinity in preference to
going to the mills on the Embarrass River. At this little corn-cracking estab-
lishment the pioneers used to congregate, and while waiting their " turn," would
amuse themselves playing marbles, running foot-races, jumping, pitching quoits
and other innocent amusements ; in cold weather they would parch corn in the
ashes. But with the building of other mills of greater capacity, and of water
and steam power, horse-mills became obsolete, and, at the present date, it is prob-
302 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
able that at least one-half of the population of Coles County never saw a horse-
mill. After the laying-out of Charleston, Morton moved his mill in the village,
Avhere it figured as the first in the village as it had in the township.
The first store in the town was opened by Charles Morton the same year of
his settlement. He brought a stock of goods with him when he moved here
from Kentucky, and as soon as he could erect a pole cabin to shelter his family,
he opened out his goods in one room of it; And when Charleston sprang into
existence, he moved his store to town, where, like his horse-mill, it became the
first store in the village. This mercantile effort of Morton's was perhaps the
only one in the township outside of Charleston, from the first settlement to the
present time. As the village was laid out so soon after settlements were made
in the township, there was little necessity for stores outside of the village. And
hence the mercantile trade centered in it in an early day.
The first road through Charleston Township other than Ihe pioneer's wagon
trails, was the State road from Shelbyville to Paris. It was surveyed and
located by John Flemming, Thomas Sconce and Thomas Rhodes, according to
the following act of the Legislature, approved January 28, 1831 : " Section 1.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the Gen-
eral Assembly, That John Flemming, of Shelby County, Thomas Sconce of
Coles County and Thomas Rhodes, of Edgar County, be, and they are hereby,
appointed Commissioners to view, survey, mark and locate a road from Shelby-
ville, in Shelby County, to the seat of justice in Coles County, and from thence
to Paris, in Edgar County, to be located on the nearest and best route, doing
as little damage to private property as the public good will permit.
" Sec. 2. The said Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall meet at Shel-
byville on or before the 15th day of October next, and after being duly sworn
by some Justice of the Peace of said county of Shelby, faithfully to view and
locate said road, without partiality, favor or affection, shall immediately there-
after proceed to discharge the duties required of them by this act, placing in
the prairie, through which the same shall pass, stakes of a reasonable size of
durable timber.
" Sec. 3. As soon as practicable after said road is located, said Commission-
ers, or a majority of them, shall make out a report, accompanied by a map or
plat of said road, denoting the courses and distances from point to point, with
such other remarks as they, or a majority of them, may deem necessary and
proper, and transmit the same to the Secretary of State. And they, or a ma-
jority of them, shall make a map or plat of so much of said road as lies within
the respective counties and transmit it to the Clerk of the County Commission-
ers of the respective counties through which the same may pass, which shall be
filed and preserved in the office of said court.
" Sec. 4. When said road shall be located, it shall be to all intents and pur-
poses, a State road, four poles wide, and shall be opened and kept in repair as
other roads are in this State.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 303
" Sec. 5. The County Commissioners' Courts of each county through which the
said road may pass, are hereby authorized and required to allow said Commis-
sioners one dollar and fifty cents per day for the time necessarily employed in
locating the said road in each of their respective counties ; Provided, that noth-
ing herein contained shall be so construed as to create any liability on the part
of this State to pay said Commissioners for their services, rendered under this
act. This act to be in force from and after its passage."
Before the laying-out of this road, the people meandered over the prairies
and through the openings in the timber, wherever they could get through best
and easiest. Often, when they went to mill, they would do as the Rev. Peter
Cartwright did in the Astor House when they put him in the fifth story. He
went to the ofiice and asked for a hatchet. When asked what he wanted with
a hatchet, replied, to blaze his way so that he could go to and from his room
without getting lost. So, would the people take their hatchets with them to
mill, and blaze the trees so they could find their way back home. The same
session of the Legislature at which the foregoing act was passed, another was
passed requiring every able-bodied male citizen, under fifty years of age and
over twenty-one, to perform three days' labor on the public highways, under the
superintendence of the Supervisor of the district. An interesting feature of
this act was, that when the labor provided in the act (three days of each able-
bodied, etc.) was insuflScient, the Supervisor might call on " every taxable male
inhabitant " in the district to perform labor on the road at the rate of one day
for " every $100 worth of real and personal property he may possess in the
county." The township, at the present day, is well supplied with roads and
bridges; of the latter, however, there are a few eligibh sites still left, where
they might be located with advantage to the people.
One of the early industries of the township was a tan-yard, upon which, or
in which, or at which, was manufactured the material for the understanding of
the pioneer inhabitants. This primitive institution, now long obsolete, was
opened by David Eastin, and the spot whereon it was located is now inside of
the corporation of the city of Charleston. It finally became the property of
Richard and Thomas Stoddert, who operated it until the people became too
proud or too enlightened to wear home-made shoes, when they, like Othello,
found their occupation (in that line) gone, and the establishment was closed.
Another useful industry of those days were carding machines. John Kennedy
built one in this township about 1880-31, which carded the wool of the settlers
(or that of their sheep, rather) into rolls, when they were spun and woven into
cloth, and manufactured into clothing by the industrious ladies. But these,
then useful establishments, like the tanyards, have "gone where the woodbine
twineth." Owen and Harman were the first blacksmiths, and sharpened the
old Cary and barshare plows for the early farmers. These smiths were " mighty
men," with " large and sinewy hands " and " muscles like iron bands," and left
their imprint upon many of these rude old implements of the early husbandmen.
304 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
The first orchard in the township was set out by Benjamin Parker about
1830. Before the bearing of this and other orchards, set out soon after, the
people had to content themselves with wild crab-apples and such other fruits as
grew in the country. Strawberries, we are informed, grew wild in great abun-
■dance, and of an excellent quality.
EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built near what is called the
Decker Springs, about a mile north of the city of Charleston. It was the type
of the pioneer schoolhouse, which has already been described in these pages,
and was built in 1828. John McCombs taught the first school in this humble
temple of learning. A Mr. Collora, brother of William Collom, who built the
first house and kept the first tavern in Charleston, was another of the early
school teachers of this township. It would be an interesting history to trace
the schools of the town from this puny commencement to their present state of
perfection, but we have not the space to do so, and as we shall allude to the sub-
ject again in the chapter devoted to the city of Charleston, we will pass on now
with the remark, that Charleston Township is laid off in convenient districts,
all of them having comfortable school-buildings, wherein schools are maintained
from six to nine months during the year. None but competent teachers are
employed, and hence the schools flourish accordingly.
The first preaching in the neighborhood was by the Parkers, as noticed in
the general history, several of the family being preachers of the '' Hardshell "
persuasion. Rev. Mr. Newport was another of the early divines of that faith.
The Methodists and Presbyterians also were early in the field, and established
classes and societies, which have continued down to the present day. But as the
first church in the township was erected in Charleston, the church history will
be given under that head.
The first white child born in Charleston Township is supposed to have been
George W. Odell, a son of Isaac Odell, in 1830. A son of David Eastin was
born in 1832, which was the next birth recorded in the neighborhood. The
first wedding remembered was Dr. Ferguson and a daughter of Charles Mor-
ton. We are unable to give a descriptix)n of the ceremonies attending this early
marriage in the wilderness, the wedding presents, appearance of the bride, etc.,
but as she is still living, our young lady readers, who always take an interest
in such matters, can probably learn all the particulars of her. The first death is
not remembered, but the " well-peopled " grave-yards tell that death has been
here.
Charleston Township lies a little southeast of the center of the county, and
is bounded on the north by Hickory Township, on the west by La Fayette, on
the south by Pleasant Grove and on the east by the Embarrass River. It is
described as Township 12 north, Range 9 east of the third principal meridian,
and contains a few sections more than a regular Congressional township. The
HISTORY OF COLES COUIJTY. 805
surface is generally level, with slight undulations, except along the Embarrass,
where it is rather broken and hilly. The town is pretty well watered and
drained by the small streams flowing to the Embarrass River, among which
we may note Kickapoo, Riley and Cossell Creeks, and with the Embarrass
on its eastern boundary, it lacks neither drainage nor irrigation. The Indian-
apolis & St. Louis Railroad crosses from east to west through the north
part of the town, thus affording excellent means of shipping the great amount
of grain and stock annually produced. The history of the above railroad
has been so fully given in the general county history that we shall not
repeat it here, but refer the reader to that part of this work.
POLITICS AND PATRIOTISM.
The township and city of Charleston, taken together, are Democratic in
politics by a small majority. Being pretty evenly divided in point of numbers,
usually calls forth from both sides considerable wire-AVorking and "log-rolling"
whenever an important election is pending, and neither party leaves a stone
unturned to accomplish success ; hence, exciting episodes sometimes take place
between them and humorous stories are told on each side. The following is
narrated at the expense of the Republicans, and is supposed to have occurred
about the time of the organization of that party in the State. We do not
vouch for its truth, but give it, subject to any criticism or correction it may
deserve. A little party was formed, consisting of seventeen individuals, to go
into one of the rural towns to organize the sturdy yeomanry, and they
contributed $1 apiece for the purpose of providing a lunch for the occa-
sion, as they contemplated being out all day. One of the number was ap-
pointed to procure the lunch, and well knowing, perhaps, the appetites of
the party, he invested $16, of the $17 appropriated, in whisky and $1 in
crackers. They proceeded on their mission, and, as they performed their very
"arduous labors," had frequent recourse to the bottles of the "all-healing bal-
sam of life and comfort." Toward evening, one of the party came to the
" butler," with a hungry, thirsty look upon his alabaster countenance, and
wanted " some more that 'ere liquor." He was informed that it was nearly out,
and he would have to cut down his potations, to some extent, and take crackers
instead. After deliberating over the matter a moment, he looked up and
remarked, " Wh-what in the did ye (hie) git so many crackers for ? "
The following illustrates the other side pretty well : " Uncle Billy Hughs,"
as everybody called him, was a blood-red Democrat. He lived in Pleasant
Grove Township, and, every time he came to Charleston, was sure to get drunk,
•on the principle that that was one of the first duties of a Democrat. One day,
he came to town in his wagon, with two large, fine horses harnessed to it,
and, as usual, got " tight as a tick ; " and, as he started for home, his horses
ran away, threw him out of the wagon, in the outskirts of the town, and knocked
the old fellow senseless. Several persons, both male and female, saw the acci-
306 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
dent, and ran to his assistance and found him apparently dead. The ladies set
up a lamentation, and all expressed the strongest pity ; for the old man was
much beloved, and, aside from his love of drink, had few faults. In the mean
time, a physician arrived, felt his pulse, and observed that he was not dead, but
would be all right soon. Finally, his shoulders moved, his lips quivered, and,
with a gasp, he opened his eyes and looked around. Feebly he inquired where
he was, when some one volunteered the information that his team had run off
and thrown him out of his wagon. " Uncle Billy" raised up on his elbow and
looked around for a moment, and then observed: "Well, by , I am (hie)
the best Democrat (hie) in Coles County, anyhow I "
But those times are past, and we will observe, right here, that there is not a
licensed saloon in Charleston Township nor city, a fact that is highly creditable
to their citizens.
In the late war, Charleston bore no inconsiderable part. Many of her citi-
zens left their homes, kindred and all that was dear to the heart, and went forth
to battle for the Union that they loved better than all things else. Several
from this township laid down their lives in its defense, and their bones lie
mingled with the dust of the far-off Southern fields where they met the foe. It
is no reproach to their valor that they fell before a foe as brave as themselves.
We give the names, herewith, of all now living in the township who served in
the late war, so far as we have been able to get them : W. E. Robinson entered
the army, in 1861, as Captain of Company E, Fifty-second Illinois Volun-
teers. James M. Ashmore entered the army as Captain of Company C, Eighth
Illinois Volunteers; wounded at Shiloh. G. M. Mitchell, in June, 1861, as
Captain of Company C, First Illinois Cavalry — the first three years regiment to
leave the State; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of Fifty-fourth Infantry in Feb-
ruary, 1862, and in October, 1863, promoted to Colonel; re-enlisted as a veteran
in 1864, and in the fall of that year was brevetted Brigadier General. H. A.
Neal, in fall of 1864, enlisted in Company K, First United States Heavy
Artillery, and served until the close of the war. W. E. Adams, in 1862, as
Captain of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers,
and served to the close of the war. A. M. Peterson enlisted in Company K,
Twenty-first (Grant's old regiment) Illinois Volunteers, July, 1861 ; rose to
the rank of Captain, and resigned, in 1862, on account of ill-health. Isaac Vail
enlisted August, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry ; was Orderly Sergeant, and was with Sherman in the march
to the sea. Charles Cleary enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry
( Union) ; promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and then to First Lieutenant, and was
detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant General ; was on Col. Crittenden's stafl",
and served until close of the war. J. A. Connely enlisted, in 1862, as Major of
the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers ; served until close of
the war, two years of the time as Inspector General of the Fourteenth Army
Corps, and was on the " march to the sea." Joseph F. Goar enlisted, in 1862,,
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 307
in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
and served until close of the war. Eli Huron enlisted in Company A, Fifty-
third Indiana Volunteers ; promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and lost right arm
in the second battle of Corinth. E. E. Clark enlisted in Company E, Seventy-
third Ohio Volunteers, and served about two years ; and also in Adjutant Gen-
erals office. Thomas A. Marshall entered the army as Colonel of First Illinois
Cavalry, and served until the muster-out of the regiment. T. E. Tillotson
enlisted in Company H, Fourth Ohio Volunteers, in April, 1861 ; assisted in
raising a company, and was appointed Orderly Sergeant ; commissioned Sec-
ond Lieutenant before leaving the State ; was promoted to First Lieutenant in
1862, and to Captain in 1864 ; after the battle of Peach-Tree Creek, was
brevetted Lieutenant Colonel by President Lincoln for meritorious service, and,
after the close of the war, was brevetted Major by President Johnson. John H.
Clark enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers, and promoted to
Orderly Sergeant. C. Swarts enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Six-
teenth Indiana Volunteers, in the summer of 1863. Adam Metzler enlisted, in
the fall of 1862, in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteers,
served nine months, and then enlisted in the regular army (Fourth United
States Cavalry), and served three years on the frontier. R. P. Hackett enlisted
in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty- third Illinois Volunteers, and served
three years ; severely wounded at Milton, Tenn., and still carries the ball.
Christian Schytt enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteers.
J. W. Evans, enlisted in Company K, First Tennessee (Union) Volunteers.
Robert L. Reat, Company A, Seventy-eighth Indiana Volunteers. William
A. Jeffries, Company C, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three-months
men ; re-enlisted in Sixty-third Infantry, and was chosen Second Lieutenant
of Company K. Dr. W. M. Chambers, appointed Brigade Surgeon by Presi-
dent Lincoln in 1861, and served until 1865. Brevetted Lieutenant Colonel,
and then Colonel, for meritorious services. As will be seen from the above list,
many of the men there mentioned enlisted in other States, but are now resi-
dents of Charleston (town and city) ; while many of those living here at the
time of enlistment, having removed to other sections, we have been unable to
learn their names.
BLOODED STOCK.
In the general county history we noted the fact that considerable attention
was being paid to the breeding of blooded stock in the county, and mentioned
the names of several parties who are engaged in improving different breeds of
animals, viz. : W. A. Whittemore, J. W. Wright, H. M. Ashmore and I. U.
Gibbs engaged in breeding fine horses ; William Miller, S. C, Ashmore,
Ambrose Edwards, Isaac Flenner, R. L. Reat and R. S. Hodgen, fine cattle ;
and Shepard & Alexander, Poland-China hogs. The fine herds of this excel-
lent stock of hogs, owned by Messrs. Shepard & Alexander, deserve more than
a mere passing notice. In a pamphlet which they have published, descriptive
308 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
of the Poland- China stock, for gratuitous distribution among their patrons, we
make some extracts, which will be found of interest to hog-raisers generally.
In this pamphlet, they take up the history of the hog, almost from the time
Noah let him out of the Ark, and follow it in a concise manner to its "culmi-
nation of perfection " in the Poland-China stock. Speaking of this fine breed of
hogs, they say : " The Poland-China is a breed established in the Miami Val-
ley, as early as the year 1835. The direct and careful history of some of the
original breeds from which this splendid animal was derived, cannot be given as
fully and as particularly as its present importance and fast-growing popularity
demand. As early as 1820, the farmers of Ohio obtained some hogs of an
improved breed known as the Poland, and crossed upon the common stock of the
country, and upon this question of the Poland hog several bitter controversies
have arisen; but that such a breed of hogs existed at that day, and long since,
we have not the slightest doubt. * * * * ^j^g Poland hog
used by these fiirmers and stock-raisers is described as a large lop-eared, dark
colored hog, attaining great weight, but slow in maturing. This cross produced
by the Poland was again crossed by the Byfield, a breed originating in New
England; but being of mixed breed itself, produced but little change; and not
satisfying their standard of a practical hog, they in a few years introduced the
big spotted China, imported from England. This last was an English breed,
the result of crosses with the original Chinese. The infu?ion of the blood of
this spotted China produced very marked and important changes in this
famous hog, decreasing the size and increasing the fattening qualities, refining
the bone and perfecting the symmetry of form, etc." By other crosses, as
given in this history, with the Wobum, Irish Graziers and Berkshires, has
resulted the formation of a breed of hogs of the most desirable qualities, and
since 1834-35, no new blood has been infused into this breed of Poland-China.
Messrs. Shepard & Alexander conclude their history of this famous breed as
follows : " They have been fully tested m all the various climates of the United
States, and, under all circumstances, have proved themselves hardy, prolific, free
from disease, with great action and constitutional vigor, and always bring the
highest price as porkers in the markets. They can be made to weigh, at ten
months, 350 to 400 pounds ; at eighteen months, from 500 to 940 pounds.
The best average fat hogs made in the United States have been of this breed.
One lot of forty head, raised by one man, averaged at twenty-two months, 613
pounds. In color, they are spotted black and white, with occasionally a sandy
tinge, varymg, however, according to the peculiar fancy of the breeder, from
almost white to nearly black."
Shepard & Alexander, well-known citizens of this township have made a
specialty for some years of the Poland-China hog, and their famous herds are
extensively and favorably known all over the country. They claim that the
Poland China is the hog for the farmer, combining more excellence than any
other breed of swine, having great size, good style, docility, fertility, early
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 309
maturity, aptitude foi' taking on flesh, and great constitutional vigor. As show-
ing that they will fatten at any age, they give the following weights of two lots
of pigs fattened at eleven months old. Thirty head averaged 389 pounds,
thirty head 384 pounds, and an extra lot of ten, at ten months old, averaged
410 pounds. In conclusion of their pamphlet, they offer the following sensi-
ble advice to farmers : ''Pork-raising at the West stands pre-eminent as a
branch of stock-raising, and there is no better, more profitable or easier wav
for a farmer to make his grain than by feeding it into a good breed of hogs,
and it is time that the farmers of the West and South gave this branch of
stock-raising the attention that its fast-growing importance demands."
As stated in the general county history, the county Avas first divided into
districts called election precincts, and so remained until township organization
in 1859-60. This district was known as Charleston Precinct, and under town-
ship organization became Charleston Township, and was originally named for the
county-seat, which had been given in honor of Charles Morton, who, as before
stated, donated twenty acres of land to the county for the purpose of defraying
the expenses of putting up the necessary public buildings. The first Super-
visor of Charleston Township, under the new order of things, was Richard
Stoddert. At the present time, it is represented in the Board of Supervisors
by E. B. Buck and G. M. Adkins. The Justices of the Peace of the towr-
ship are Charles Van Derford, J. I. Brown, George Tucker and J. W. Doty.
Having traced the history of Charleston Township from the period of i:s
first settlement down to the present time, showing its growth and development,
we come to notice
THE CITY OF CHARLESTON.
Charleston is pleasantly situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad,
very nearly the center of the county, and 117 miles from Indianapolis, 14-)
miles from St. Louis and about the same distance south of Chicago. It is a
handsome little city of some four thousand inhabitants, and noted for its ener-
getic business men, its mills and manufactories, and its excellent schooh,
churches, and the genei'al intelligence of its inhabitants. While it claims i:o
very extensive manufacturing establishments, yet there are several located
within its limits, which will receive appropriate mention in the proper place.
It is well supplied with water works, and the pure, clear water of the Embar-
rass River is thus utilized in providing its people with a bountiful supply of
the health-giving element.
Charleston was originally surveyed by Thomas Sconce, the first Surveyor
of Coles County, and laid out by Commissioners (William Bowen, of Vermilioii
County ; Jesse Essarey, of Clark, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford) appointed
by the Legislature for the purpose of establishing the seat of justice of the
county. The original town embraced, as shown by the plat on file in the Re-
corder's office, the west half of the southwest quarter of Section No. 11, in
Township No. 12 north, of Range 9 east. It was resurveyed in June, 1839,
310 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
bj Joseph Fowler, County Surveyor, and in this resurvey is noted the addition
of Nathaniel Parker, of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, etc.
Since the first laying-out of Charleston, the records show some fifty additions and
subdivisions to the original town by different individuals, giving it sufficient area,
one would suppose, for a much larger city. It was named by the Commissioners
who located the county seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the proprietors of
the land on which it is situated, and who donated twenty acres of land for
county purposes. In naming the place, they added the last syllable of Morton's
last name to his first name, thus forming the word Charleston.
The first house was built in Charleston by William Collom, who i's termed
the first actual settler in its corporate limits. It was a small log house of one
room, and in this spacious building he kept the first tavern in the future city of
Charleston, then an incipient village. Such a diminutive hotel would scarcely
supply the demand of the wayfaring men of Charleston now. The city is well
furnished with excellent hotels. The Charleston House, with its genial land-
lord, Dan Van Sickle, is a model in its way, and is a cheerful home to the
weary, wayworn traveler. Dan is an old commercial traveler, and, as such,
has been the guest of half the hotels in Illinois and Indiana, and the experience
thus obtained is used in the Charleston House to the advantage of his guests.
The Maples Hotel, situated near the railroad, is less pretentious, but, withal, an
excellent house. The first brick residence was built by Col. Norfolk, about
1835-36. James Wiley was the contractor, and superintended its erection. It
is still standing, and being used as a residence by the widow of Col. Norfolk.
Charles Morton was the first merchant in the village. As mentioned in the
history of the township, he brought a stock of goods with him when he moved
to the country, and opened them out in a cabin where he first settled. After
the laying out of Charleston, he had reserved a choice "corner lot," in his
donation to the county, and upon this he erected a storehouse. It was near
the present post office. He also erected a number of " pole cabins " near his
storehouse, in the rude style of architecture of that day. They stood all in a
line, like the "nine little Injuns," and these he was in the habit of " letting ""
to new-comers, three months free of rent, which time was sufficient to build a
cabin of their own, if they were at all energetic. The second store in Charles-
ton was kept by Baker & Norfolk, and was opened as soon after the town was
laid out as the population of the place would justify.
The first post office was kept by Charles Morton, and was established about
1830-31. It was called " Coles Court House," and, after the town was laid out
and christened, the name of the post office was changed to that of Charleston.
The mail came from Terre Haute, via Paris, and passed on west through Shel-
byville, Taylorville and Springfield to Quincy. It was carried by a man
named Moke, Avho was over six feet high, and rode a very small pony, his feet
almost touching the ground. His weekly trips were hailed as an event of vast
importance, and everybody gathered at the post office then, just as they do now
y/yiyfjuxrlvK
KLAND
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 313
(except the " small boy," who was not invented then, and who is the grandest
nuisance to be found about the country post office at mailtime in this fast age),
eagerly looking for the longed-for letter from absent friends, although they cost
a quarter then, payable at the office of delivery. Col. G. M. Mitchell is the
present representative of Uncle Sam in the post office department at Charles-
ton, and, we may add, that his duties are somewhat heavier than were Mr.
Morton's, when Moke used to bring the mail once a week on his little pony.
Owens and Harman were the first blacksmiths in Charleston, and are
noticed elsewhere as the first in the township. David Eastin opened a tan-yard
soon after the laying-out of the village, which is also noted in the township his-
tory, as is the carding machine of John Kennedy. Albert Compton and a
man named Hanks were the first shoemakers, and to them the people were for
some time indebted for a substantial " understanding." The former is still a
resident of the city, but long since retired from the shoemaking business. Col.
Dunbar was the first practicing lawyer, and had the field all to himself for
awhile. He is still living, but has quit the law. Drs. Carrico and Ferguson
were the first physicians, and both now sleep in the church-yard.
Charles Morton had the first mill in the village, which was the horse-mill
mentioned in the township history as built by Morton, in the vicinity of his
first settlement. When the village was laid out, he moved it within the corpo-
ration. The first steam-mill in Charleston was built by Byrd Monroe, which
ran for several years, and was then burned. He at once rebuilt it, and, after
several years, having passed into the hands of the Gages, was again burned,
when they built the large and elegant brick mill near the Depot, at a cost of
about $40,000. The City Mills were built some two years ago, by Alvey &
Van Meter, a large, substantial brick edifice, with all the new and im-
proved machinery. A mill was built in the west part of town, years
ago, which finally passed into the hands of Ashmore, and was burned some
time afterward, and has never been rebuilt. Charleston has just cause to be
proud of h«r mills, for but few cities of her size can boast of two more excellent
mills than the two mentioned above.
THE COURT HOUSE.
The first brick house erected in Charleston was the present Court House,
which was built some time before Col. Norfolk's residence, mentioned a little
space ago. As noticed in the general county history, the first Court House in
Coles County was built in the south part of the town, near where the Christian
Church now stands, and was a log structure. The present brick Court House
was built in 1835, by Leander Munsell, of Edgar County. His agreement
with the County Commisioners is dated December 4, 1834, and covers nearly
four pages of the record-book. The original building was the then prevailing
style of architecture of an old Kentucky tobacco-barn ; was perfectly square
with the roof, running up from all sides to a point in the center. "A steeple
314 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
to extend five feet, with a ball about ten inches in diameter, to be covered with
gold leaf, and a spear to extend six feet above the ball with a fish or chicken on
the top." The contract price for the building was $5,000, and, at the next
March term of the Court, Munsell was to receive " one-half for the labor per-
formed and material furnished, provided there are sufficient funds in the treasury
to do it." The foundation of the house was built of the rock taken from the
cut through the Embarrass River hills of the grade for the old Terre Haute &
Alton, now the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. This building served the
county many years as its temple of justice without alteration; but as the people
increased in wealth and importance, and became proud and high-strung in their
notions, they were at length seized with an extravagant fit, and had the old
building renovated and " rejuvenated," until the very rats, that had grown
gray under its floors, did not know it. The building was enlarged, porticoes
added and the entire structure modernized generally, so that it now presents a
very attractive and imposing appearance, and is quite an elegant and commo-
dious Court House. The court-room is in the second story, is large, airy and
well furnished, with jury-rooms, consultation-rooms, etc., adjacent, while on the
first floor are the offices of the County and Circuit Clerks, the County Treasurer
and Sheriff", and also the Jail. The " square " is filled with young sugar
maples, well set in blue grass and surrounded by a substantial iron fence.
Charleston makes no pretensions to a wholesale mercantile trade, but its
retail business in this line is excellent, and its merchants are live, wide-awake,
energetic business men, who are well up to the times, with large and complete
stocks of goods sufficient to fill all demands. But few cities of its population
have as good a class of business houses as Charleston, many of them being of a
style and quality that would look well in more pretentious cities. Our space
will not admit of the particularization of the diff"erent mercantile houses, and
we pass with this general compliment to their worth and honesty.
The banking business was begun in Charleston as early as 1853. In the
fall of the vear mentioned, T. A. Marshall and others established " The
Farmers' & Traders' Bank." This bank flourished until 1857-58, when in
the great financial crash that swept over the land in those dark and gloomy
years, it, like hundreds of others, went down. About 1860-61, Marshall &
McCrory commenced a private bank, which, with some changes in its name
and partners, finally became the Second National Bank, and as such is still in
existence. The President of this bank is Isaiah H. Johnston, and Charles,
Clary, Cashier.
The First National Bank of Charleston was developed from the private
banking firm of T. G. Chambers & Co. This firm had been doing a general
banking business since 1866, and, about 1868, together with another private
banking firm, consolidated and formed the First National Bank, with Thomas
G. Chambers, President, and William E. McCrory, Cashier, which positions
both gentlemen still hold. Both the First and Second Nationals are sound.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 315
healthy establishments, officered by men who have a long experience in banking
and who possess the entire confidence of the people and the community at large.
MANUFACTORIES.
One of the largest, perhaps the largest, manufacturing establishment in
Charleston is the Broom-Factory of Traver & Nixon. Although it has been
in operation but a few years, their business has increased almost beyond
belief. They manufacture many thousand dozen of brooms annually, which
are shipped to all parts of the country, but principally south — New Orleans
being one of the best points, Georgia and Texas next. Three salesmen are
continually on the road. Their business sums up about |60,000 a year ;
seventy hands are employed at an expense of $15,000 per year. They culti-
vate about five hundred acres of broom-corn in addition to v/hat they buy.
Since the establishment of this factory by these energetic men, the cultiva-
tion of broom-corn has become an extensive business among the farmers. A
dozen years ago, there were scarcely so many acres of broom-corn grown in
the county ; now thousands of acres are annually produced, and the business
is increasing every year. The firm owns the Charleston elevator and broom-
corn compress for baling and rebaling broom-corn for shipping, and are
the only parties in this section owning such a machine. R. A. Traver, the
senior member of the firm, is the author of " Traver's Broom-corn Cultur-
ist and Broom-maker's Manual," an interesting work devoted to the raising,
cutting, curing and preparing broom-corn for market, from which we make a few
extracts, as being of general interest to our readers. Speaking of the cultiva-
tion of broom-corn, he says: " At the present time Illinois is the acknowledged
head-center of broom-corn growing in the United States, its rich and fertile
prairies being well adapted to its growth and development. Chicago, Cleve-
land and Philadelphia broom manufacturers say that the finest and best broom-
corn comes from the section of country bordering the Illinois Central Railroad,
between Charleston, Coles County, and Champaign City. It appears the soil
is naturally adapted to it so as to grow a fine article of hurl and brush corn,
just as some sections of the United States are better adapted to the raising of
tobacco than others. Chicago has become the acknowledged broom-corn market
of the United States, and at present controls the market. * * *
In raising broom-corn, the first thing necessary is good land ; that is, what is
considered good Indian corn land, and it will always pay to plow the land just
before the planting, so that the broom-corn can get a start of the weeds. In
fact, it never ought to be planted on weedy land. The best land for a certain
crop is a sod, subsoiled, and then there is no trouble with weeds. The land
should be thoroughly harrowed and in fine condition, and then the seed should
never be put into the ground until the soil is thoroughly warm, so that it
will come up soon and keep ahead of the weeds. * * * *
As soon as the blossom begins to fall off, then it is time to begin cutting
816 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
the broom-corn, and the sooner it is cut the better, so that, when dried, it
will be a bright pea-green color, as that color commands the highest price
in the market ; the brush also weighs heavier, and is tougher and wears bet-
ter when made into brooms. The ditFerence in price in all of the large markets
between bright-green and ripe red brush generally runs thus : red, per lb., 2
cents ; green hurl, per lb., 8 cents — or in about that proportion; so it will be
seen that it is of very great importance that it be cut and cured so as to be of a
bright-green color." A great deal more of valuable information is given in this
interesting little pamphlet.
The Charleston Foundry, owned by A. N. Bain, are quite an extensive
establishment. In 1857, he and his brother, William Bain (now dead), came to
Charleston and erected a small frame building for a foundry and machine-shop.
For several years, their receipts were small, and, it was not until 1863 that they
commenced the manufacture of stoves, which they continued until their popu-
larity and business increased to a voluminous extent, and they manufactured
fifty-two different kinds and sizes of stoves. A trade was built up that extended
from Indianapolis to the Rocky Mountains. House-fronts and ornamental ver-
anda work was added to their business, and many towns in Illinois show fair
specimens of this line of work. William Bain died in 1875, since which time
the business has been owned by A. N. Bain alone.
The Woolen-Mills of Messrs. Weiss & Frommel, are quite a large institution
of the kind. It was originally established by Henry Weiss, at whose death
Gruenther Weiss, one of the present proprietors, purchased an interest. His
partner, Frederick Frommel, first engaged with Henry Weiss as a traveling
salesman, and, after Mr. Weiss' death, he also purchased an interest in the mills,
since which time the firm has been Weiss k Frommel. They do a large busi-
ness in the manufacture of woolen goods, and are highly-respected, energetic
business men of the city.
The pork-packing establishment of I. H. Johnston is a large concern, and
in the days gone by did a large business, but for the last year or two has not
been operated to its full capacity, but during the winter season does a good deal
in its way.
Among the early munufacturing establishments of Charleston might be
mentioned the brickmaking of George Tucker. He was, some years ago, the
largest brick manufacturer in Coles County, and large building contractor ; has
built a majority of the brick buildings in Charleston. He is a prominent Mason
and Odd Fellow, and to him we are indebted for a history of these fraternities.
There are several other manufactories of less note, such as plow, wagon and
carriage factories, which do quite a thriving business, but do not manu-
facture on a large scale. Charleston, we have no doubt, will, in time, become
quite a manufacturing city. All that is needed is a little capital to develop the
coal-fields, which lie but a few hundred feet below the surface. Time will do
the balance.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 317
VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.
Charleston was organized as a village in 1853, and, of the first Board of Vil-
lage Trustees, Nathan Ellington was President. In 1865, it was incorporated
as a city, with L. P. Tomlin as the first Mayor, and the old Board of Trustees
acting as Aldermen. The Council and city officers at present are as follows,
viz.: Hon. W. R. Patton, Mayor. Aldermen — R. Alexander, R. A. Traver,
Harvey Said, E. H. Clark, W. S. Coon, Robert Stewart, H. M. Ashmore and
James Skidmore. The City Clerk is Andrew Kershaw; George Steigman,
Treasurer ; A. C. Ficklin, Attorney ; William Jeff"ries, Marshal, and W. Good-
man, Superintendent of Streets. The city has an excellent Fire Department,
consisting of Engine, Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company, well-
organized and equipped. Water Works have been added to the city's con-
venience, welfare and safety, which, in connection with its splendid Fire Depart-
ment, have saved the city many thousands of dollars. The Water Works were
built in 1875, and are of a substantial character. The water is brought two
miles, from the Embarrass River, thus utilizing that beautiful little stream in
another capacity than mills and navigation.
The bar of Charleston (not the one where you look upon the wine when it
is red, for Charleston is a red-ribbon town) stands high, and combines an array
of legal talent that will compare with any community. Space will not permit
particular mention of all as they deserve, hence we shall not attempt it. But
the names of Connely, Cunningham, Ficklin, Wiley, Neal, Peterson, Adams,
and others will be recognized as men of eminence and ability.
The medical fraternity, too, is able and deserving of a more particular men-
tion than our space will allow. It embraces men who stand high in their pro-
fession, and have held high positions in the medical societies and institutions of
the community.
•' THE CHURCH HISTORY.
The religious history of Charleston is as old as the town itself. The first
religious services were held under the auspices of the old Predestinarian Bap-
tists, who, at one time, were quite numerous in the town and county, but are
rather scarce at the present day. Once they had a church-building in Charles-
ton, with a flourishing society and several ministers, among whom were two or
three of the Parkers and Elder Newport. The organization, we believe, is still
kept up, but they have no regular preacher, nor regular church services, and
but few members.
A society of the Old- School Presbyterians was organized June 13, 1835, by
Rev. John McDonald and John Montgomery, with thirteen members, as follows,
viz.: James Lumbrick, Thomas 0. Roberts and wife, Rosina Letner, Adam
Mitchell and wife, James Mitchell and wife, William Collom and wife, Eugenia
Campbell, Arthur G. Mitchell and wife, of whom only three are now living,
viz.: Mrs. Esther Mitchell (widow of James A. Mitchell, afterward married
318 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
to James Lumbrick, and again a widow), Mrs. Eliza CoUom and Mrs. Arthur
Mitchell. The following preachers have administered to the Church since its
organization, mostly as "stated supply "' : Rev. John McDonald, from organ-
ization to the spring of 1843, with the exception of about one year in 1840-41,
when Stephen A. Hodgeman preached as stated supply. Rev. H. I. Venable
supplied the pulpit for about one year in 1844-45, when Rev. Joseph Adams
was called, and preached from 1846 to 1849. Rev. Robert A. Mitchell was then
called, and labored as stated supply from 1849 to the spring of 1853. Rev. H.
I. Venable* was recalled in the spring of 1853, and continued in charge until the
close of 1855, when Rev. R. A. Mitchell was again called, and labored as stated
supply from early in 1856 until 1858, when he was installed Pastor, upon the
completion of the new house of worship. He continued as the Pastor until
April, 1870, when he resigned the charge, having labored in this Church, alto-
gether, for about sixteen years. Rev. R. F. Patterson was then called, and
commenced his labors in October, 1870, and continued until the close of the
year 1873, when he resigned on account of the ill-health of his wife. Rev.
James A. Piper was then called to the charge, and labored one year as stated
supply, when he was elected and duly installed Pastor, a position he still holds,
beloved by all, making the seventh minister who has served this Church since
its organization.
The first church edifice was commenced about 1842, and finished in 1845 —
a frame building, costing about $1,000. The second building was commenced
in 1857 and completed in the summer of 1858, and was dedicated to the service
of God in August of that year. The dedicatory sermon and prayer was by
Rev. Dr. Newell, of Paris, 111. It is a brick structure, and cost, originally,
about |!9,000, with an additional cost of $5,000, for improvements, made the
"memorial vear," in which the two churches — the new and the old — were united,
thus making the sum total of the cost of building and improvements about
$14,000. Membership, about two hundred and ten.
The following persons have acted as ruling Elders of the Church since its
organization, in the order mentioned, viz.: James A. Mitchell and James Lum-
brick, elected at organization ; William Collom and Stephen B. Shellady, elected
October 14, 1837 ; James M. Miller and Dr. R. H. Allison, elected April 26,
1845 ; George S. Collom and James E. Roberts, elected October 25, 1851 ;
John A. Miles, elected in 1853; John McNutt and William Miller, elected
December 9, 1854; A. Carroll and Richard Roberts, elected February 27, 1864;
Robert F. McNutt and T. C. Miles, elected October 13, 1866 ; Willliam E.
Adams and T. C. Miles (the latter re-elected), March 28, 1871.
The Sunday school was organized about 1842 or 1843, and has been kept
up nearly, or quite all the time since, except during the winter season prior to
the completion of the first church-building in 1845. W. J. Ashmore is the
present Superintendent, and there are on the roll the names of about two hun-
* None labored more than one-half of the time previous to Rev. Mr. Venable's second call.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 319
dred and fifty children. Mr. J. M. Miller is Clerk of the Session, and to his
courtesy and kindness we are indebted for the interesting history of this vener-
able Church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston was organized in
1837.* Robert Lightfoot and family settled in the neighborhood in 1836,
and Mrs. Barthenia Lightfoot, his wife, was a member of the Methodist
Church. Being joined by parties who had recently moved from Ohio, and
James Y. Brown and others, who were members of the society which had been
organized east of town, they united in forming the first Methodist Church of
this city. The name of the minister who originally organized the society can-
not now be ascertained. The first church edifice erected was a large frame
building, very large for that early day, and was built about the year 1839, on
the block where Dr. Van Meter's residence now stands, and was of so frail a
construction that it was only used about two years, when it was pulled down to
give place to a much more elegant and durable frame building. The Church
worshiped in this temple until 1857, when the present brick edifice was erected,
under the direction of Rev. Timothy B. Taylor, Pastor in charge. It is a very
neatly constructed building, two stories high — the basement containing one large
room and two small class-rooms. The entire cost of this building, including
the spire, was about $10,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Buck, who is
still a leading member of the Illinois Conference. There has recently been
added to this church property a convenient and valuable parsonage. The pres-
ent active membership is 201, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. B. Wolfe.
The Sunday school was organized in 1840, and has an average attendance of
about one hundred and fifty ; the Superintendent is Charles Clarey.
The history of the Christian Church in Charleston is of more modern date
than that of the societies already given. It was originally organized about 1842,
by Elder Samuel Peppers. The first church was built in 1846-47, which was
used for a number of years and then sold to the Catholics, and the present brick
edifice erected in the south part of the city, a short time previous to the begin-
ning of the late war. We were unable to obtain the names of all the Pastors,
but of those who have administered to the spiritual welfare of the Church since
its organization are Elders Tyler, Tully, Young and Peppers. The present
Pastor is Elder Walter S. Tingley, formerly of Indiana, and he has in his charge
over two hundred members. The Sunday school was organized about the same
time as the Church. It has a large attendance, and is under the superintend-
ence of William Wright.
The Universalist Church is of comparatively recent organization in Charles-
ton. The society was originally formed in 1868, by Rev. W. W. Curry, and
the church edifice erected in 1870. The only two regular Pastors since the
organization of the Church were Revs. Curry and D. P. Bunn. Death and
removals have reduced the membership to thirty-six, though it has far exceeded
*There had been an organization previous to this, one and a half miles east of Charleston, but of it we were unable
to obtain anything definite.
320 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
this number. The Sunday school was organized in 1870, and has an average
attendance of eighty-seven ; Joseph Gtiffitli, Superintendent, and Neil. S. Dew,
.Assistant Superintendent.
The Missionary Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Mr, Riley, now of
Paris. They have an excellent Church and Sunday school, of which Harvey
Said is Superintendent ; but, as the minister does not reside in Charleston, we
were unable to learn much about it.
The St. Charles Roman Catholic Church was organized a number of years
ago. Their first church was bought from the Christian society, and after being
used a short time was blown down in a storm. In 1871, their present brick
church was erected, at a cost of about $5,000, and is 60x30 feet in size. The
present Pastor is Rev. Father C. Kuhlmann, and about sixty families worship
at this church. The Sunday school was organized in 1871, is well attended and
is superintended by Mrs. J. W. Dikob.
There is also a society of the Episcopalians in the city, but they have no
church edifice, and, we believe, no regular pastor. They keep up the organi-
zation, however, and have occasional preaching.
BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
Freemasonry was introduced in Charleston at an early day. Charleston
Lodge, No. 35, was organized October 9. A. D. 1845, A. L. 5845. The
charter members were William D. Gage, Edmund Roach, Adam Mitchell,
Green G. Guthrie, Thomas C. Moore, James Watson and Jacob Linder. of
whom William D. Gage was Worshipful Master ; Edmund Roach, Senior
Warden, and Adam Mitchell, Junior Warden. The present officers are : E.
B. Buck, Worshipful Master ; Harvey Said, Senior Warden ; J. W. Tucker,
Junior Warden ; Charles Clary, Treasurer ; J. I. Brown, Secretary ; H. C.
Barnard, Senior Deacon ; John A. Ricketts, Junior Deacon ; George Burton,
Tiler, and George Tucker and H. M. Chadwick, Stewards. The records show
about seventy members. The Lodge sustained a heavy loss by fire some years
ago, but has recovered from its eifects, and is now in a flourishing condition.
Keystone Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, was organized August 4,
1859, by virtue of a dispensation issued by the Most Excellent Grand High
Priest of the State. The first officers were : H. P. H. Brorawell, High Priest ;
G. W. Teel, King, and N. W. Chapman, Scribe. The present officers are :
S. B. Walker, High Priest; G. W. Burton, King; George Tucker, Scribe;
W. W. Fisher, Captain of Host ; William Chambers, Principal Sojourner ; W.
S. Coon, Royal Arch Captain ; C. J. Endsly, Third Vail ; Jo Watkins, Sec-
ond Vail: Benjamin Dawson, First Vail ; I. Winters, Treasurer; J. I. Brown,
Secretary, and J. A. Ricketts, Tiler, with twenty-three members on the roll.
H. P. H. Bromwell, mentioned as the first High Priest of this Chapter, and now
a resident of Denver, Colo., was one of the brightest and most talented Masons
of Southern Illinois, and once served the craft as Grand Master of the State.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 321
Kickapoo Lodge, No. 90, I. 0. 0. F., was organized October 17, 1851, by
Grand Master H. S. Rucker. The charter members were B. M. Hutchason,
Elijah C. Banks, A. D. Walker, D. S. Gales and A. M. Henry, of whom B.
M. Hutchason was Noble Grand, and E. C. Banks, Vice Grand. The present
officers are : Moses Kershaw, N. G. ; John W. Mock, V. G., and J. I. Brown,
R. S. Number of members admitted since organization, 250.
Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F., was organized March 8, 1876, by
Grand Master John H. Oberley. Ten members were embraced in the charter,
and Dr. Denman, of Kickapoo Lodge, was appointed Special Deputy by the
Grand Master, and instituted the new Lodge. The present officers are : E.
H. Clarke, N. G. ; Andrew Stimmols, V. G. ; J. C. Hall, R. S. Coles En-
campment, No. 94, was organized several years ago, and is the highest body of
the Odd Fellows. The officers are : F. Frommel, C. P. ; John Rail, H. P.,
and J. I. Brown, Secretary.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. '
The following are the statistics of the public schools for 1877-78 :
Whole number of persons in district under twenty- one 1,596
Number between the ages of six and twenty-one 1,087
Whole number of different pupils enrolled 754
Greatest number enrolled in any month 690
Least " " " " 550
Number of Teachers employed 14
Superintendent 1
High school was organized January, 1871. First graduating class, June,
1873. Total number of graduates, 125; of these, 54 are teachers, or have
been, 4 lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 druggists, 4 merchants, 9 clerks, 3 have
died, and all are conducting themselves in such a manner as to win the respect
and confidence of the community. The high-school course embraces three
years.
In pursuit of such an education, the studies of our schools serve as efficient
means toward an end, but they are not the end sought. The higher and better
uses of all studies are their indirect uses, the benefits that flow through their
proper prosecution, in greater power of attention, enlarged comprehension,
quickened curiosity, greater self-control, and wider and more far-reaching influ-
ence over others. Our schools are striving to attain these results. They are
divided into three departments — high school, grammar, primary. The primary
is divided into four grades, and each grade into three classes ; the grammar
into three grades, and each grade into two classes.
The present corps of teachers are :
Western Seminar^/ — Miss Mary Hampton, Principal ; Miss Ettie Allison,
First Assistant ; Miss Emma Fancier, Second Assistant, and Miss Louisa
Houriett, Third Assistant.
322 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Eastern Seminary — Miss Sallie Blankenbaker, Principal ; Miss Florence
Moore, First Assistant ; Miss Kate Waters, Second Assistant, and Miss Anna
Teel, Third Assistant.
Central Building — Mrs. Nellie Bain, Principal, high school ; Miss Emma
Bain, Assistant, high school ; Miss Kate Whittemore, third grammar depart-
ment ; Mrs. J. T. Terrill, second grammar department ; Miss Stella Hitch-
cock, first grammar department; Miss Sarah Gray, primary department.
Of the present corps of teachers, eight are graduates of the high school.
An Alumni Association was formed in 1874, and meets every June. Present
Superintendent, Prof. M. Moore, is now serving his ninth year.
The public-school buildings of Charleston are all elegant brick edifices, of
modern architecture, and present a very fine and imposing appearance, partic-
ularly that in the Central District. It was built in 1870-71. The corner-
stone was laid in the spring of 1870, by the Masonic fraternity, and the
building was completed in time for the session of 1871. It cost about
$50,000 ; is well arranged for school purposes, and supplied with all modern
improvements in the way of school furniture.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
The press of the present day may be styled " the power behind the throne
that is greater than the throne itself." The same might be said of it that has
been said of gold — that it is the " Archimedean lever that moves the world,"
and, unquestionably, the press of to-day is of almost unlimited power in the
land. We sometimes wonder if the world would not cease to move were the
newspapers all suppressed. They are one of the luxuries that we could not
well get along without, having once known their usefulness. Think of it '
we read to-day the news from the capital of the Russias; from the south-
ern extremity of the Grecian Archipelago, from Athens, from Paris, from
London, and from the uttermost parts of the earth. It is, indeed, wonderful
to contemplate. And, aside from this, the press is a true record of a
nation's greatness. Every day, the history of the country is inscribed upon
the page of the newspaper, and without its influence ignorance would reign
supreme.
The first permanent newspaper established in Charleston was the Courier^
now known as the Plaindealer. One or two eft'orts had been made previous to
this to start a paper, but a few issues comprised the efibrt. The first edition of
the Courier was issued in 1840. The proprietors were William Harr and
William Workman. Harr bought out Workman, who afterward sold an interest
to George Harding, now connected with the press of Indianapolis. Harding
remained with the Courier until 1857, when he sold his interest to Harr, who
conducted the paper until a short time after the emancipation proclamation of
President Lincoln, when he sold it to Eli Chittenden, who changed its name to
Plaindealer. Chittenden ran the paper for about two years, when he sold it
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY, 323
to John S. Theaker, who published it till October, 1866, and sold it to Dunbar
BrothBrs. Albert Dunbar, one of the proprietors, died in 1875, when Lucian
Dunbar continued to publish it until in May, 1878, when he sold it to McCon-
nell & Co., the present proprietors. It is Republican in politics, and a live,
energetic newspaper.
George Harding, after his retirement from the old Courier in 1857, estab-
lished the Charleston Ledger, which he published about two years, and sold it
to John M. Eastin. He sold it to McHenry Brooks, who published it until
1867, and sold it to Shoaff and Underwood. About this time the name of the
Courier had been changed to that of Plaindealer, and ShoafF & Underwood
changed the Ledger into the Courier. Shoaff sold his interest in about a
year to Major Miller, who now publishes a paper in Tuscola, and in about a
year more, Miller sold to E. B. Buck, who, with Underwood, published the paper
until about 1873-74, when Buck bought out Underwood and has published it
ever since. Mr. Buck is an editor of considerable experience and an able news-
paper man, and has filled the oflBce of President of the State Press Association.
His paper is true blue Democratic, and a faithful exponent of the principles of
that party.
The grain trade of Charleston is not very extensive, from the fact that a
large proportion of it is fed to stock by the farmers. Among the grain-buyers
of the city is the firm of Messrs. McDonald and Zink, who use the elevator on
the railroad owned by Traver k Nixon, and who, in the grain season, do a very
large business.
A feature of Charleston is the studio of Charles Briggs. He was the first
house and sign painter in Charleston, and from that has taken up portrait paint-
ing. We have seen several portraits of old citizens of Charleston, which show
considerable talent of the artist for this kind of work. He has made a specialty
of painting fine stock bred in this county, in which he excels. Specimen paint-
ings of hogs from Shepard & Alexander's herds look so natural that one natu-
rally expects to hear them grunt and squeal.
The Infirmary of Dr. Van Meter, mentioned in another page, was, some
years ago, one of the largest institutions in Charleston. But years of labor,
and ill-health compelled the doctor recently to close it and retire from active
business life.
Mound Cemetery, Charleston's beautiful little city of the dead, is located
about one mile west of town, and is well adapted for cemetery purposes. The
name is well chosen, being a large mound in the center, and the land sloping
down in all directions. The first cemetery is now in the city limits and becom-
ing pretty well filled. Mound Cemetery was laid off, as stated, one mile west
of the city.
324 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
MATTOON TOWNSHIP.
This township, named from the city of Mattoon, is the middle one in the
western tier of townships in the county. It contains thirty-six sections of land
— one Congressional township — and is principally prairie land.
The Little Wabash courses through the southern part, flowing southward until
it finds an outlet in the larger stream of that name. In the southern part,
skirting this stream, is a strip of timber, known as the Wabash Point Timber,
and is the locality where the earliest settlements were made. It is the only
grove of native forest-trees, of any size, in the township. The best timber has
long been cut away for use in the settlement of the country, what is left being
used chiefly for firewood.
The Little Wabash aff'ords the principal drainage in the township. Its east^
ern part is known as the "Divide," as the water naturally runs in opposite
directions from that point. It is almost the highest land in Illinois.
Away from the timber to the north, the face of the country is generally
quite level, broken only by long undulations. It is almost entirely prairie land
in this part, and was allowed to remain uncultivated until after the opening of
the railroads. It was largely used for pasturage during this period, and often
presented signs of great animation as the herds of cattle, under the care of their
drovers, moved about over its grassy, slightly undulating surface.
The prairies are now the chief producing part of the township. They
easily admit of good drainage and, though to some extent rather level, are ex-
ceedingly productive. Corn is the principal cereal grown. The others do w^ell,
but throughout this part of Central Illinois are not the staple article of agricult-
ure. Cattle and hogs are raised quite extensively. Mr. Elisha Linder and a
few others have been for many years prominently engaged in this business.
The railroads at Mattoon give a direct outlet to all the chief markets of the
world and should maintain a constant sale for farm produce.
A curious phenomenon exists on the farm of W. M. Champion, in the south-
west part of this township. When digging for a well in March, 1871, after
attaining a depth of thirty-one feet, a drill was used which was sunk a few feet
farther, and a vein of carbonate gas struck. It was observed that Avhen the
drill was withdrawn the water gurgled up at irregular intervals, and as a vein
Avas supposed to be found preparations were made to wall the well. No smell
was attached to the gas, and no thoughts of it being then entertained. From
the peculiar motion of the water it was feared by one of the men that there
might be poisonous gases in the well, and"bne of them went after a wisp of hay
and another for some shavings. The latter returned first, and, lighting his
bunch, was hallooed to by the other to " Throw it down." /. e., on the ground.
Thinking he meant throw it in the well he did, and a frightful report and sheet
of flame burst forth. Mr. Tremble and one or two others who were near were
severely scorched about the face, and all were tremendously amazed. The gas
H [STORY OF COLES COUNTY. 325
soon burned out, but would soon accumulate. Various experiments were made
with it. An iron tube was inserted and the gas allowed to escape in a small
stream. When lighted it burned with a brilliant light. The well soon became
notorious and was visited by scores of people from all sections of the West.
Finally, Mr. Champion bethought himself to utilize the gas, and, conducting it
by pipes to his house, soon had it in use in his kitchen to cook by, and in other
stoves it was used as fuel. It made an excellent light, and he has all the ap-
pliances of a city in that regard. He walled the well, and now water stands
in it, all seasons, so that from one well he gets light, fuel and water, all without
any tax or license.
Attempts have been made to obtain petroleum in the township, but all have
proved unsuccessful. Coal can be had as it was found in exploring for oil, but
at such a depth that it will hardly pay to work.
With this brief outline of the topographical features of the township, we
will pass to that part of more interest to all — the
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
As has been intimated, the earliest settlement in this township was made
near the timber on the Little Wabash, in the south part of the township.
Emigration to this part of the county came after that part along the Embarrass
River had received its first influx of settlers, hence the locality was known
before any came to live.
In the summer of 1826, Mr. Charles Sawyer, a resident of Kentucky,
came to this part of Illinois looking for a home. He remained a short
time with the Trues, in what is now La Fayette Township, and examined the
country to the south and west of them. Selecting a location at the north side
of the timber, on the Little Wabash, he returned to the True settlement,
and hired a man named Bates, for $10, to build him a cabin, while he should
return to Kentucky for his family. Mr. Bates hired Levi Doty, a young man
living in the neighborhood, to build the cabin, and, by winter, a very comfort-
able home was ready for " Uncle Charley " when he should return. This cabin
was the first habitation for a white man known to have been built in the
bounds of either Mattoon or Paradise Township. It stood near the site of
Mr. John Sawyer's house in Section 28, and until a few other pioneers could
erect similar habitations, was the home of the emigrant while he was selecting
and preparing his own fireside.
During the interval from the completion of the cabin by Mr. Doty, and
what few pioneers he could call to his aid, and Mr. Sawyer's return in the
spring of 1827, one family made it a temporary home until they could build
their own cabins. The family was that of James Nash. They were living in the
cabin when Mr. Sawyer arrived. Some among the early residents state that
another family, that of Miles Hart, occupied the cabin. Mr. John Sawyer is,
however, not of this opinion. It may be that Mr. Hart remained in it only a
326 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
few days, while Mr. Nash seems to have used it longer. Which of the two
statements is accurate, it is now difficult to determine, but we are inclined to
the opinion that only Mr. Nash lived in the cabin, and that Mr. Hart did not
come until later, as is mentioned further on. When "Uncle Charley," as he
Avas afterward always known, returned, he brought with him his two sons-in-
law, John Young and Henry Cole, who each brought a small family. Mr.
Young settled where B. F. Mooney now lives, and Mr. Cole immediately north
and adjoining Uncle Charley. These three pioneers had not been long in their
frontier homes until they were joined by John Houching, known as "Uncle
Jack," who settled the farm now owned by Azariah Sanders. The Hart fam-
ilies, one of whom, Miles H., has already been noticed, came about the same
time, and joined the infantile settlement. Miles H. ^as joined by his father,
Thomas, and his brothers Silas, Jonathan, Moses and Thomas, Jr., all of whom
brought families but the last named, who was yet a single man. The Hart
family settled in what is now Paradise Township, and will be found noticed
there more fully. If they all came at once, then the assertion of Mr. John
Sawyer, that Miles H. did not live in his father's cabin prior to the latter's
permanent removal, is correct. These families, with James T. Cunningham
and Jefferson Coleman came together, and were the pioneers of Paradise Town-
ship. The entire settlement at that date was, however, counted as one.
These persons were about all that came in 1827. They formed the first
settlement and may be truly named the pioneers of that part of the county.
The next year, John Sawyer, brother of Charles, located on the east side
of the timber. About the same time that he came, George M. Hanson and
Dr. John Epperson, the first physician in the county, arrived. Mr. Hanson
settled the farm now owned by John E. Tremble, and the Doctor located
farther south, just over the line in what is now Paradise Township. Though
an early settler there, and one whose history properly belongs to that township,
some account of him here will not be out of place.
He w^as for many years the only physician of all this part of the country,
often riding twenty and thirty mile^i to visit his patients. He was uniformly
kind and faithful in his attentions to the sick, and was greatly respected. Even
after old age came on and he earnestly requested none to call on him for pro-
fessional advice or aid, his old neighbors and acquaintances would not give him
up, but came again and again for him. If he could not go to the patient, they
would ask for prescriptions and advice, and as long as the old Doctor lived, he
could not deny them this. He remained at his old home until his death,
which occurred only a little over a year ago. The old settlers of this part
remember well the golden wedding which he and his faithful wife were privi-
leged to celebrate a few years ago.
About a year after the settlement of the Doctor and Mr. Hanson, came
James Graham and family, Avho located a little east of Charles Sawyer. Mr.
G. was a local Methodist preacher of commendable zeal, and a faithful, earnest,
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 327
Christian man. He was one of the pioneer ministers in the western part of the
county, and was a man extensively known. Soon after he settled, Elisha
Linder arrived with his mother, two sisters and one brother, and settled south
and adjoining Mr. Graham. Mr. Linder had been out here in 1829, and
selected a location, remaining about two months. Early in 1831, he returned,
planted a crop, raised a cabin, and then returned for his mother and family,
arriving with them in October. They were from Hardin County, Ky.,
where many of those we have mentioned had lived, and, like their predecessors,
came to Illinois to find a new home, and where they could grow with the growth
of the county. Mr. Linder is still living on his old homestead, in the enjoy-
ment of the comforts a long, busy life has gathered around him.
James Nash, of whoiii mention has been made, died soon after his settlement.
His was the first death in the community, and, for want of better tools, his
coffin was made of split walnut puncheons. Mr. John Sawyer, Sr., now an old
man, states that he was among those who made the coffin and dug the grave.
He was a boy then, but distinctly remembers the circumstances. No train of
carriages or gilded hearse bore his remains to their last resting-place. The few
neighbors, true to one another, gathered silently at the cabin of their late asso-
ciate, and, after a prayer, a song, and a few remarks by the good old Elder, laid
him away in his rough coffin and lonely grave. Mr. Nash's death was the
result of an injury received from carrying a log, with which to make a bee gum,
on his shoulder. His death occurred on December 24, 1829. He was buried
on Christmas Day, on a small bluff on the Little Wabash, near what is now the
home of John Thomas, on the road from Mattoon to Paradise. This was the
first grave dug for a white settler at the Wabash Point. One of his children
has since been buried near him. The place Mr. Nash settled fell into the
hands of William Langston, another early settler. It is now owned by
William Clark. George Morris settled west of Mr. Langston's, his farm being
the one now owned by the widow Langston. Next west of Mr. Morris was old
Mr. Champion, father of Richard and William Champion. Further on south
and west of the timber, in what is now Paradise Township, were the Curry s.
Moores, Mclntoshes, Alexanders, Crosses, Brinegers and the Drakes. These
were among the early settlers in this neighborhood, and in Paradise Township,
where they are more particularly noticed.
On November 11, 1830, Mr. Hiram Tremble came to the infantile settle-
ment, pitching his camp near the cabin of " Uncle Charley." He says it was
the common camping-ground for all, and Uncle Charley was looked upon as the
center of the little group. He was always a true friend to all who came ; was
a devout, earnest Christian, a Methodist, and was among the first to aid in
planting that church at the Point.
Mr. Tremble is a local minister in that denomination, and is now living on
his old homestead. He has been quite active in advancing the interests of this
part of the county ; was a contractor and builder of part of the two railroads
328 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
centering at Mattoon ; helped build the first grain warehouse there, and was
one of the first merchants in the town. He will be well remembered by many
residents in his sketches of the early times here, published in the Mattoon
Journal, under the title, " Forty Years Ago," and ft-om which we have
obtained much of our information respecting the early days of the western part
of the county.
The settlers mentioned include about all who came prior to 1882. During
this interval. Coles County was formed, and a voting-place established in this
neighborhood. The first who came generally lived in their wagons until they
could erect a cabin. These cabins were built of round logs, notched at the
ends, so as to fit closely together. They were generally cut the required length
in the woods, and, on the "raising-day," were hauled to the place selected for
the future home of the pioneer. As fast as they were brought to the ground,
they were notched and rolled into their place, two of the best men in the party
acting as "end men."
When the cabin had reached the required height, the four last, or top, logs
were often made three or four feet longer than the rest, thereby projecting over
their fellows. The end pieces forming the cone were made each one shorter
than its predecessor, until an apex was reached. On this, from end to end, was
laid a stout center-pole, projecting like its fellows three or four feet at either
end. About two feet below it, another was placed, and on down until the ends
of the outstretching logs were reached. These were covered with split oak
slabs, one-half inch thick, about a foot wide and often four feet long. They
were held in their places generally by " weight poles," /. e., poles placed over each
" lap" of the clapboards, held in their places by short sticks placed endways
between them. Sometimes stones were laid on the roof in addition to these-
The cabin was now a simple pen, with no means of ingress and egress, and no
apertures for light, save the cracks between the logs. They must not be left
unclosed, as but little or no protection could be afforded with them open. A
bed of " mud " mortar was made, the heart pieces of the oak, from which the
clapboards or "shakes" had been made for the roof and puncheons for the
floor and doors, were taken, inserted edgways between the logs and held in their
places by pins driven into auger-holes in the logs, and all covered well with the
mud mortar ; when thoroughly dry, the chinking and daubing completely covered
the cracks and rendered the cabin comfortable.
An opening for the door was made in the side of the house by cutting a
space about three feet in width by six feet in height, leaving the upper and lower
logs half cut through, one to form a door-step, the other a secure upper-part.
'• Jambs " were next pinned to the ends of the logs, both to hold them in their
places and to form a better door-frame. The door was made of split puncheons
pinned to cross-pieces and hung on wooden hinges. The latch was made on the
inner side of the door, and was raised from the outside by means of a leather
thong passing through a gimlet-hole a few inches above the latch. At night,
OAKLAND
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 381
it was drawn in and the door was practically locked. It was always out in the
daytime, and was considered by the pioneer an open invitation to all to enter
and partake of his hospitality. It was, in its mute way, a sign of welcome, and
gave rise to the popular, earnest proverb, " My latch-string is always out." This
was exemplified by the fact that when it was withdrawn it was considered that,
for some reason, the invitation was for the time also withdrawn.
A window for the humble home was made, commonly opposite the door, bv
cutting out a space about two feet square and placing therein a window contain-
ing two or four window-lights. In early pioneer times in the West, when glass
could not be obtained, either owing to the distance to the settlements or the
poverty of the pioneer, greased paper answered the place of glass, the windows,
however, having only a dimension of the width of one log, and probably two
feet long. Sometimes, especially in schoolhouses, several feet in length of a
log was cut out and a window made in this manner. The next thing necessarv
to complete the cabins was the chimney or fire-place. That was always at
one end of the cabin, aitd was often five or six feet wide and nearly three feet
deep.
An aperture was made in the logs of the required length, and a space meas-
ured off outside, and covered either with clay or more often with flagstones.
Split pieces of oak were made, one end of which was placed just inside the logs
of the wall, the other projecting outward, where it was crossed by a similar
stick, both notched to fit closely together. The inclosure was built up in this
manner until the required height was reached. The inside was securely covered
with stones or a thick layer of mud, more commonly the former, to prevent the
chimney from burning. On the top of this pen, a chimney was made of stipks
and mud firmly cemented together. At the bottom, it was of the same size, or
nearly so, of the fire-place, but grew narrower as it neared the top, where it was
often not more than one foot square. This chimney, when properly constructed,
was perfectly safe, and possessed an excellent draught. On the inner side, a
crane was hung, to which were suspended the various pots and kettles used by
the good wife or her daughters in their cooking. No stoves at this date were to
be seen. Even had they been easily obtained, the poverty of the average pio-
neer would have prevented him from obtaining one.
The floor was laid with puncheons split, like the clapboards for the roof,
with a frow, from a clean, straight-grained oak-tree. They were from four to
six or eight feet in length, and were laid, commonly, on short, round poles, a
few inches above the ground. Often the pioneer's cabin did not possess even
the luxury of such a floor, the earth, tramped hard, answering the purpose. If
a loft was desired, it was made by running stout poles, three or four feet apart,
from the top of the last round of logs on one side of the cabin to the other, and
on these were laid puncheons similar to the ones on thfe floor beneath. A lad-
der, leading from below, stood' in one corner of the cabin, generally just behind
the door and near the fire-place.
332 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
The early emigrants rarely brought an extensive outfit for housekeeping.
They were mostly poor, and in this regard were all equal. The cabin had been
built, it will be observed, without a single piece of iron being put into its con-
struction, pegs answering the place of nails. Where beds, tables, chairs and
other such articles were needed, they were made. The bed was a rude, strong
affair, made in one corner of the room, by placing an upright post about four
feet from one wall, and six or seven from the other. Poles were laid from this
post to both walls, slats laid thereon, whose outer end extended through between
two logs, and on them the bed was spread. Dried prairie-grass was often used
until feathers could be obtained. Under this bed, a smaller one was made that
could be pulled out at night, and shoved under again in the morning. We
have seen them in this manner, and have also seen, about two feet above the
main bed, another made, and at the same distance above that, another, not
unlike the berths in a steamboat. A table was made of a stout oak plank, or
two of them fastened together with cross-pieces pegged on and supported by
four upright posts inserted at auger-holes near each corner. Stools were made
in the same manner, only they were small and commonly three-legged. Pegs
were driven in auger-holes in the wall, on which the wearing apparel of each
one could be hung, or where any article not needed could find a resting-place,
were it something adapted to that way of support. Shelves for dishes were
made from small split boards, placed either on pegs or inside two uprights made
in the same way, and held to their place by means of notches.
These were the main features of the cabin-home. Many did not possess
as many articles as we have enumerated, and some had more, and often much
better habitations. The luxuries of life were generally not seen the first years
of the settlement, but appeared as the residents could obtain them.
After the neighborhood had become established in this part of Mattoon
Township — for by such boundaries must they be designated, even though the
townships did not then exist — some of the young men and women concluded
they could get along better together, and a new home was to be provided for
them. Land was plenty and cheap, and not so much was required then to com-
mence married life as now. A cabin, similar to the one we have described, was
erected for the young couple, and was commonly dedicated with a dance or frolic,
in which all the young folks of the community joined.
When the young couple repaired to their new home, generally on horse-back
or on foot (if by the former method, both^ on one horse), they found it ready
for use, with its puncheon table, tripod stools, slab cupboard and wide chimney.
It would contain a few articles of household utility given by the parents of the
pair ; for a bride's dower consisted then of a few such articles, some good
advice, and, mayhap, a horse and side-saddle. The young husband had an ax,
a few other tools, a few farming implements, and, possibly, a horse. Thus
equipped, they started in life. The young bride had no confidential friend ;
knew nothing of milliners and mantua-makers ; did not take a fashion-journal
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 333
or the New York Weekly to beguile leisure hours and give her foolish nothings
to think about. She entered on life conscious of a duty, fully prepared to do
her part, with a healthy body, vigorous, crude mind, and earnest purpose.
Before a few years elapsed, other tripods were needed for the children that had
come to the frontier home ; and comforts and blessings of life, though they
entailed hardship and toil, came to the rude, cheerful home.
As much as old people love to dwell upon these pleasant memories, we can-
not but think there are equally brave and willing brides to-day, who, though
they do not meet trouble in the way our ancestors found it, find it in other
ways, -calling for as much resolve and resolution as of old, whose trials are met
as bravely as those met and overcome by their grandmothers of the early day
of Central Illinois.
As soon as the old cabin-home had been established, the next care was the
planting and cultivation of a crop. A space was cleared in the woods (as they
had no plows that would turn the prairie sod), and, after being turned by the
barshare plow, was planted in corn, potatoes and a few other garden vegetables,
while a portion was sown in wheat, could any be obtained. Corn, however,
then, as now, was the main staple. It furnished the meal for food, and, by
boiling in strong lye, made by filtering water through wood ashes, an excellent
and nutritious hominy was produced. Honey was abundant at this day, the
woods abounding in bee-trees. In a year or two after the first settlers located,
maple-sugar and molasses were additional articles of food, and most excellent
ones, too. No molasses brings as high a price as maple-sirup now, owing to
its scarcity ; the sugar, however, is not considered possessing the same qualities
as other kinds, hence is not much in demand. These articles, found so abun-
dantly in frontier life, added much to its comforts. Cornmeal could be made
on the old grater or mortar, and, when baked as the native Kentucky house-
wife knew how, made a most nutritious and palatable article of food. The
appetites of the pioneers were generally sharpened by violent exercise in
their daily vocations, and did not need any tempting viands to induce them
to eat.
Pork was obtained by allowing the hogs to run wild in the woods, subsisting
on the mast then so plenty. To prevent them from roaming over the cultivated
fields, a brush fence was made by felling a great number of small trees with
their tops altogether in a continuous line around the field. Hogs fattened on
the mast made good pork, and as corn was not so abundant then as now, and
mast plenty and free, they were allowed undisturbed access to it. They often
became in a measure quite wild when allowed to roam, and when wanted at
killing season generally had to be shot. While young, they were kept near the
house and securely penned, as the wolves soon evinced a fondness for fresh,
tender pork, and did not scruple in the slightest to take all they could get.
When the pigs were large enough to resist the wolf, they were allowed their
freedom.
334 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Deer, bears, wild turkeys and prairie chickens provided an abundant
supply of wild meat for the settlers. Deer were as plenty as cattle now,
and it was not an uncommon affair, for the pioneer to shoot one from
his cabin-door did he want a fresh venison steak for his breakfast. So
common was the article it was not considered the luxury it is now, and was not
thought as much a company dish as pork or beef. Turkeys grew very fat when
the mast became ripe, and were very tender eating. Prairie chickens were not
often eaten, their flesh not being considered very palatable. Bears, while they
were not so plenty here as in some parts of the West, were by no means a
rarity, and often furnished food for the settlers. Buffaloes were very scarce,
even if any were to be found. Their bones, old settlers tell us, were thickly
strewn over the prairies when they came, but the live animal was a rarity. ■
Wolves were the most troublesome animals to be found. They would kill
the young pigs, depopulate chicken-roosts, carry off young lambs, slay their
mothers, and all the time render night hideous with their bowlings. They were
very numerous, too, so mnch so, that grand hunts were organized to extermi-
nate them. Mr. Elisha Linder tells how that in one winter he killed one hundred
of them, generally by riding them down and clubbing them, or shooting them.
The wolf was generally a great coward, preferring to pillage at night. During
the day they would retire to their dens on some little knoll or in the edge of the
timber. After the country began to settle, bounties were offered by the coun-
ties for wolf-scalps, whereby many paid their taxes. Now they are all gone
from this part of Illinois, and should one adventurous wolf show himself, such
a hunt would be organized to capture him, as would almost rival the hunts of
early times.
We have departed, somewhat, from the direct thread of the narrative, to
notice the accidents to which the first pioneers were liable in the erection of
their cabins, and their start in their new homes. We will now return, in part,
to the narrative of the settlement, and note a few subsequent events.
We had brought the story down to the year 1832. About this year, Charles
W. Nabb, now a resident of Mattoon, came up from Lawrence County, 111.,
purchased the farm of George M. Hanson, and became one of the permanent
settlers. Mr. Hanson went to Whitley's Point and settled on the farm where
now Deck Dole lives. Among other old settlers of this date, may be reckoned
David Hanson, from Virginia, who may have been a year or two earlier than
1832; John Young, from Kentucky; William Moore, who removed first from
Kentucky to Cumberland County, then to Coles ; James Waddill, an early
teacher ; Barton Randall ; James James, another early local preacher ; Nathan
Curry, who came in the spring of 1830, raised one crop, then moved to Shelby
County, where he lived many years ; and a few others, whose names we have
not been able to obtain. These are, however, the majority, of those who came
to this settlement prior to the Black Hawk war. Until after that event, there
were very few residents in the territory included in the present bounds of Mat-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 335
toon Township. The settlement was all one, though it extended over many
miles of country. All were neighbors ; all were poor ; all were ambitious, and
nearly all came to enjoy the comforts of life they expected to find as the fruit
of their privation and toil.
Thewinter of 1830 and 1831 was one of unusual severity. It is known
in the annals of the West, especially in the northern part, as the " winter of
the deep snow." The snow fell almost continuously from the latter part of
November till late in January, covering the ground in Northern Illinois to the
depth of nearly four feet. In the southern part of the State, it was not so
severe or lasting, and was a little more than half that depth. The winter wa^,
hoAvever, very cold, and as the settlers were generally poorly provided against
any such contingencies, much suffering ensued. About the latter part of Feb-
ruary, a warm spell came, which quickly melted the snow, covering the entire
face of the country with water. At this juncture, a reverse of temperature
arose, and a continuous glare of ice was the result. People could not go any-
where with horses or oxen, as they were not able, in a majority of cases, to shoe
their teams. Had skates been as common then as now, what glorious sport the
boys would have enjoyed ? While this ice was on the ground, a few emigrants
arrived, after a tedious journey over the icy prairies. Often the women were
obliged to walk, the emigrant teams scarcely able to draAV the wagons. The
ice was succeeded in the spring by another thaw, the like of which has rarely
been seen since. The people were obliged to resort to various measures to
obtain meal, fuel, meats, etc., while they were compelled to carry water and
food to their stock, none of which could travel over the smooth surface every-
where presented. During this time, the old mortar and grater came vigor-
ously into, use to supply cornmeal, and many evenings did the male mem-
bers of the family devote their energies to one or the other, generally the
former, to supply food for the rest. Neither was an easy task. The grater was
made by puncturing the bottom of an old tin pan with a nail a great many times.
On the outer edges of the rough pieces of tin thus presented, the ear was rubbed
until worn to the cob. This could be successfully done only when the corn was
a little soft. When hard, it would shell from the cob too easily. Then the
mortar came into use. This instrument w^as made by burning a hollow
in a block or stump, of a sufficient depth to hold about a peck of shelled corn.
A pestle was then made of a heavy piece of wood, that would fit the cavity toler-
ably closely. Sometimes, to give it more weight, an iron wedge was fixed
securely in the end. Corn would now be placed in the hole and pounded fine
with the pestle. Ofttimes, to render the task easier, the pestle was rigged to a
pole, not unlike a well-sweep, and worked in this way. When rigged to the
sweep, it was a great saving of labor, and could be made much more effective.
The meal made in this manner was not very fine, it was true, but it could be
sifted, what went through the sieve being taken as the meal while the rest was
made into what was known us beaten hominy.
336 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Before the pioneers made outdoor ovens, bread was baked in a skillet or
on a board before the fire. Corn-bread made in this way had a peculiar relish,
it is claimed by the old settlers. Probably their appetites had much to do
with the relish. Mush and milk was also a favorite which even yet has not
lost its strength.
The season following the "deep snow " produced a very fair crop. A few
more emigrants came to the settlement, and helped swell its numbers. No
troubles with the Indians, who were very few, had been experienced in this part
of Illinois, and everything here seemed in a fair way to prosperity. The
northern portions of the State had, however, not been so fortunate in this
regard. The Sac and Fox Indians, whose villages were near the junction of
the Mississippi and Rock Rivers, had refused to leave their homes and remain
beyond the Father of Waters. Black HaWk was chief of the Sac nation, whose
principal village was on a romantically commanding site just above the mouth
of Rock River. It had been their home for more than one hundred and fifty
years, and was endeared to them by all the ties of home and human nature.
By the seventh article of the treaty of 1804, the lands belonging to this nation
were actually to accrue to the United States whenever they were sold to private
individuals. Until such a time the Indians could remain on them and hunt as
usual. In 1816, Black Hawk recognized the validity of this treaty ; but when,
in 1829, some of the land in his native home was sold by the General Govern-
ment and became thereby the property of others, he refused to recognize the
treaty and to leave his village. Adjacent to it was a large field of nearly seven
hundred acres which had been the common field for the cultivation of corn,
pease and squashes. This field some of the more lawless whites seized before
they had a right to it, and by wanton acts of cruelty to the Indian women and
children provoked the savages to retaliatory measures. The whites also brought
considerable whisky, which they sold and traded to lawless Indians, against the
law and the express commands of the chiefs, which so enraged them at the
carousals it produced, that in one or two instances the exasperated chieftains
went to the houses of the settlers, and, knocking in the heads of the whisky
barrels, emptied their contents on the ground. One thing brought on another
until war was declared. The first call for volunteers was made by Gov. Rey-
nolds early in the spring of 1831. No county south of St. Clair and east of
Sangamon was included in this call, as it was thought the Indians could be
easily driven across the Mississippi, where they had been for a time living.
Black Hawk refused to go, and force was used. At first the Indians conquered
the whites, and more calls were made for volunteers. Numbers responded from
every part of the State. In these calls, Coles County furnished but few men,
and the Wabash Point less than a dozen. Those that went were required to
furnish their own guns, ammunition, horses, etc., and provisions enough to last
them to one of the forts where the general rendezvous took place. There they
were supplied with ammunition and food, and were attached to some regiment.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 337
The recruits generally went in companies under self-appointed leaders. The
State militia law was then in force, and each man knew, or thought he knew,
the. tactics of war. The sequel showed some ludicrous sides of human nature.
Many brave men at home were cowards on the field, and ready to run at the
first opportunity. It was observed, then, that the bravest were the modest
ones, and those that commonly had the least to say about their own valiant
deeds were the ones who merited praise.
It might not be amiss to mention the " old muster-days," as they were
called. They were days of a general gathering, when all able-bodied men were
required to meet at some designated point and drill. The day began to be
regarded as one of general frolics, rather than muster, for, as the danger
from the Indians decreased, the need of the militia diminished, until, so
apparent did its uselessness become, and so obnoxious to those who could not
spare the time, that, by a common decree of the people, who ridiculed the day
in every way they could, it was abolished by the General Assembl3^ From the
return of the troops from the Black Hawk war down to the opening of the
railroads in 1855, but few things occurred out of the regular course of events.
That war settled the Indian question in Illinois, and peace, with the red men in
her borders, was the result. They were gradually withdrawn from their homes
in the Prairie State, and, in a few years, none were to be seen. They
followed the course of the westward sun, and seem destined, erelong, to be
swallowed up by the mighty race which has taken their country.
Emigration set in anew to the West, and throughout the entire length and
breadth of Illinois a continuous train of settlers poured in. Chicago was now
coming into prominence, and Utopian visions of wealth began to dazzle the eyes
of the denizens of Illinois. Before proceeding to note the rise of the improve-
ment system and its inglorious end, we will notice two events of unusual occur-
rence which happened, and which many of the old residents in Mattoon Town-
ship will remember. The first of these is
THE METEORIC SHOWER.
A most remarkable phenomenon occurred on the night of November 12, 1833,
known as the " Falling Stars," which it will be well to notice here. It appears
to have occurred all over the Western country, if not over the entire United
States. Mr. Tremble gives a stirring account of it in his sketches, which
we here reproduce. He says :
" I was on my way home from a mill, west of Shelbyville, and had arrived
at the cabin of an early friend and brother in the ministry, about four miles
west of the town, then a village of about two hundred inhabitants. As I was
twenty-six miles from home, and had only an ox-team, I desired the brother to
get me up at 3 o'clock in the morning, so that I could get home that night.
After a pleasant evening, we retired. My landlord was up at the designated
hour, and, going out of the cabin-door, saw a sight that utterly bewildered him
338 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
for a moment. All the stars seemed to be falling, and he at once concluded the
heavens were falling and that the final day had come. Returning into
the cabin, he aroused the family and myself, assuring us that the day of
judgment had come, and for us to prepare to settle our accounts with our Maker.
We were all up in a few moments, and beheld a sight never to be forgotten.
The air was full of falling drops of fire, that immediately expired as they
neared the ground. Sometimes they would alight on a leaf of a bush or tree,
and go out with a peculiar noise, difficult to delineate in orthography. It
sounded something like " tchuck," given with the shortest possible sound of the
vowels. After gazing on the grand sight awhile, I asked the good lady to
prepare me a little breakfast, while I fed and yoked my cattle. While I was
eating my breakfast, the good minister remarked that he could not understand
how I could eat so unconcernedly, when on the threshold of eternity. I noticed
he was indeed in deep earnest, and sat part of the time with his head bowed
between his knees, clasped in his hands, and apparently engaged in earnest
thought. He arose when I prepared to go, protesting against my journey on
such a solemn occasion, as the world would soon be on fire and the end of all
all things be. I told him that if his conjectures proved correct, I might as
well be out on the highway, driving my ox-team, as anywhere else. Bidding
them adieu, I rigged my team, bestrode the near ox, and, with a flourish of ray
whip, started. It was noAv about 4 o'clock, the air was a little cool, and a slight
frost lay on the ground. At the start, I had nearly a mile of timber to pass
through. The meteors were falling all around me as thick as hail or as rain-
drops in an ordinary shower. Some of them were so large they cast shadows
on the trees. Many of them came in contact with trees in falling, and burst,
throwing off" a myriad of sparks, illuminating the forest all about me. It was
the grandest freak of nature I ever beheld, and passes my poAvers of descrip-
tion. Emerging from the timber to the prairie, the sight was even more grand
and inspiring. A rain of fire-drops came down. All about and above me, the
air was full of the falling sparks, none of which touched me or my oxen. They
would frequently fall nearly to the ground on some bush, but none touched me
that I saw or felt, though I endeavored to catch some on my hand to experience
a personal contact. None reached the ground that I saw ; all expired as they
neared it. The storm of fire continued with no abatement that I could see until
the approach of day, when the light caused it to gradually disappear, just as
the stars retire on the approach of the morning sun.
" Just at daylight, I entered the village of Shelbyville, where I found the
inhabitants grouped about the corners, discussing the strange wonder. Many
appeared to be greatly alarmed. The opinion that the end of the world was at
hand strongly prevailed. T did not stop to discuss the question with them, but
left them to solve it as best they could, and Avent on my way. All along my
journey homeward, wherever I met any settlers or travelers, the " fire " was
the theme. I could not explain it, nor could they. I could only think it was
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 339
some freak of nature scientists might some day explain ; but that the world was
coming to an end, I did not much credit."
These various meteoric showers have never been very satisfactorily ex-
plained. They have occurred at different intervals for ages, and for many
years were regarded with supernatural awe by all classes of people. It is a
common practice among the inhabitants of any part of the earth to so regard
any unnatural phenomenon, which they cannot readily explain. The commonly
accepted theory among modern scientists is that they originate in certain nebu-
lous bodies revolving in space in a elliptical orbit about the sun, the aphelion
of which meets the orbit of the earth at the time of its annual exhibitions.
This is in a measure verified, as the showers appeared in less brilliancy for
three successive seasons after 1833, and agai^i in 1841, and in 1846. None
were so brilliant by fiir, however, as the exhibition of 1833, whose grandest
display was at Niagara, where it is said to have been of such remarkable vigor
as to surpass comprehension.
The fall of meteoric stones is an occurrence often noted in the history
of the country. The appearance of comets are also mentioned, which caused
wide-spread alarm, many preparing to meet the judgment which it was positively
asserted they portended. That event has never visibly occurred yet, and it is
safe to conclude comets, meteors and other irregular heavenly bodies have noth-
ing whatever to do with it. They are now pretty satisfactorily explained, and
only the ignorant fear them. To those who study the heavenly bodies they are
objects of great interest and are studiously watched.
THE "sudden freeze."
This curious, and yet unexplained phenomenon happened on the 20th day
of December, 1836. By many, the cold winter of 1830-31 is confounded
with this event. A great many births, deaths and other family matters are
""now settled as to date, by their occurrence before, at or after the "deep snow "
or the "sudden freeze."
The 20th day of the month referred to had been rather warm. A slight
rain fell during the forenoon, turning the few inches of snow on the ground
into slush, and filling the creeks and ponds with water. About the middle
of the afternoon, a heavy cloud was noticed coming rapidly from the northwest.
It came at the rate of twenty-five or thirty miles per hour, as was afterward
ascertained, and was accompanied with a terrific, roaring noise. As it passed
over the country, everything was frozen in its track almost instantly. Water
that was running in little gullies or in the streams was suddenly arrested in its
career, blown into eddies and small waves by the wind, and frozen before it
could subside. Cattle, horses, hogs and Avild animals exposed to its fury were
soon chilled through and many frozen in their tracks. Where a few moments
before they walked in mud and slush, was now frozen, and unless moving
about they were frozen fast. In some instances where individuals were ex-
340 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
posed to the fury of this wave and unable to reach shelter, their lives were lost.
One man was found afterward standing frozen in the mud, dead, and still hold-
ing the rein of his horse in his hand. He had apparently become bewildered
and chilled, and freezing fast in the mud and slush, remained standing.
Mr. Elisha Linder, in speaking of this storm, says : " I was near my house
feeding some stock, when I noticed the storm-cloud approaching. Thinking it
would be a severe windstorm and possibly rain, as it was misting at the time, I
started to the house. I went as quickly as I could, but the storm caught me
before I reached the door. It was so piercing in its coldness and so strong I
could not walk against it. The water was frozen as it blew into little ridges,
and the mud and slush soon became as hard as stone. A good many chickens
and other fowls perished. No little suffering was experienced by many persons
who were illy prepared for such an unlooked-for event."
It is related of a young man named Samuel Munson, in the western part of
the county, who had gone, or was going for his marriage-license, that, while on
the journey he was overtaken by the wave, and, finding he could not cross the
Okaw or one of its tributaries, turned his horse's head up the stream and partly
against the storm. He could not make the horse travel in the face of the storm
and, dismounting, tried to lead him. He could not do this either. When he
tried to mount the horse again, he found his clothing, especially his overcoat,
wet with the rain of the forenoon, frozen so he could not mount. He threw it
off, then hastily mounted his horse and started at a full gallop in the course of
the storm, determined to find shelter before it was too late. Coming to a grove
of trees, possibly Dead Man's Grove, he saw a cabin, and, riding up to it, dis-
mounted and went in. His hands and feet were by this time partially frozen, and
he was so benumbed he could hardly talk. He was obliged to remain there
overnight and to postpone the wedding a day or two.
Mr. Tremble and other old settlers who experienced this "sudden freeze,"
all give a similar description and corroborate the statements made. The wave
came from the northwest, passing over the central part of Illinois, lower down
in Indiana, and is last heard of about Cincinnati, Ohio, where it arrived at 9
o'clock in the night, freezing some emigrant wagons and teams in front of a
tavern at Lebanon, a few miles above Cincinnati, while their owners were bar-
gaining for a night's lodging. Its width was from about where Ottawa in Illi-
nois now is, then barely started, to a short distance below Coles County. It is
not heard of much above or below either place. Its origin has never been
found, to our knowledge, nor has it been satisfactorily explained that we
know of. Iowa was thinly settled then, and as it came across its northern
border, we have only meager accounts concerning it there. It originated some-
where in the vast northwest, and only lost its force and fury when it encoun-
tered a warmer clime.
Returning again to the subject of emigration, the growth of the State and
the internal improvements, we find Coles County, especially its western part,
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 341
gradually filling with settlers. The scheme of building railroads and canals
came now prominently before the people, and roused their expectations of
future wealth and power to the highest pitch. As early as 1835, the subject
received the attention of the Illinois Legislature, and in the message of Gov.
Joseph Duncan to that body at the session of 1835-36, mention is made of it,
and the General Assembly urged to act upon it. It responded in a manner
exceeding the Governor's highest anticipations. Immense preparations were
made, great sums of money appropriated, and work began on the Illinois &
Michigan Canal, and on several proposed railroads, among them the Illinois
Central and the Terre Haute & Alton. The issue of so much money, based on
the faith of the State, and its entrance into all channels of business, had the
effect to draw an immense flood of emigration to Illinois, all anxious to share
in the general prosperity. Somehow, the more the money was issued, the cheaper
it became, and the dearer everything else grew. Acts of the Legislature in vain
tried to hold it at and above par; but it steadily declined, until it reached 16
cents on the dollar in gold, and in some instances 14. Either the feith of the
State was correspondingly below par or the money was cheap because it was
too plenty. From the Solons of the day down to the most common class of
people, all saw, in the start, wealth created out of nothing, only to see it grad-
ually vanish before their eyes. As it declined in value, work began to stop
here and there on detached parcels of the railroads, until finally on every rOad
it was abandoned, and only with the wisest financiering was it kept going on
the canal. State banks grew out of the scheme, and a currency, as fluctuating as
varied, appeared all over the country. Merchants in New York were obliged
to accept notes on banks in Illinois and Indiana, which they could only realize
on by returning them through brokers to some place in the West, and get all
they could out of them. The fall of the system and the conse(iuent depression
of business was keenly felt all over the State. Exorbitant values had arisen
on every class of property, and when the shrinkage occurred, the losses were
felt. No work was done on either the Central or the Terre Haute & Alton
Railroads in Coles County ; but the eff'ects of the rise and fall of values were
noted here as well as elsewhere. Money was as scarce as in the earliest
pioneer times, and for awhile it looked as though ruin would be the result.
The prairies were, however, naturally very productive, and though emigration
for awhile shunned the State as if struck by a pestilence, it soon began to rally,
and before a decade of years had passed the enormous debt was safely provided
for, and prosperity of a real kind again came over the land.
It was not until after 1850 — more than twelve years after the first rail was
laid on the track at Meredosia, on the Illinois River, on what is now the
Wabash Railway — that the subject of railroads assumed a permanent, tangible
form. In February of that year, the Chicago ct Galena road was finished as
far as Elgin, and a train of cars made the first trip from the city on the lake to
the one on the Fox River. From this date, the erection of other roads began —
342 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
this time, by individuals. The State had enough of this experience, and did
not care to venture again into such schemes. The Terre Haute & Alton was
among those sharing in the revival, and, as some work had been performed on
it, chiefly on the eastern and western divisions, a new company took the work,
and, in about four years' time, had it in running order. About the same time,
the Illinois Central, through its magnificent grant of land from the General
Government, came to a completion. These roads, crossing in Mattoon Township,
formed the nucleus for a new town which capitalists were not slow to take advan-
tage of, and the city of Mattoon was the result. Indeed, they had been watch-
ing to see where the crossing would be, and had located the town as soon as the
question was decided, not waiting for the completion of the roads. As the his-
tory of railroads in the county forms a separate chapter, we will only refer to
them briefly here.
When they were completed, much of the prairie-land in the township, and,
in fact, all this part of the county, was yet open. It was still used for pastur-
age, and the settlements confined exclusively to the timber. The railroads
opened the country, however, and from that time until all was taken, it was
rapidly settled. The growth of the country went steadily forward from the
time of the improvement period until the late war. By that time, it was pretty
thickly settled. Mattoon Township furnished her quota of men for the fray,
and the city saw a regiment depart from her midst gathered almost wholly in
the surrounding country.
When the war closed, another season of great commercial prosperity ensued,
owing to the sudden circulation of a vast amount of currency, based on the
faith of the General Government. From this arose another series of fictitious
values, and many farmers mortgaged their land to capitalists at a semi-annual
interest of 10 per cent, expecting the '"flush times" to continue. When the
value of money came to the recognized standard, a shrinkage in values occurred,
causing at the present time great difficulty among many to pay debts contracted
on the currency basis. Many farms in this part of Coles County have been
sold to meet these claims, realizing little, if anything, more than the amount
loaned. The effect of all this will be to divide the large farms, and, ultimately,
it will in that way be for th^ good of the county. The people of Mattoon
Township are all engaged in agriculture, and, if a steady purpose in this pur-
suit is adhered to, no debts contracted beyond their ability to pay, and the
same study devoted to that pursuit as is given to that of the law or medicine,
abundant success is sure to crown the effort. Take it all in all, no occupation
is so sure of a living, so independent and so safe as intelligent agriculture.
We will now retrace our steps somewhat, and note the
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
We have purposely omitted any mention of churches and schools in the
foregoing pages, intending those subjects for a separate chapter.
HISTORY OF COLES COUIJTY. 343
The first settler in Mattoon Township, "Uncle Charley," was a devout
Methodist, and in hia cabin the first praise and thanks to the Giver of all good
were heard. Many of the others who came in 1827 were "members of the
same religious body, and, as soon as they could arrange their temporal matters,
steps were taken toward the establishment of a church. James Graham,
George M. Hanson, Miles H. Hart, Samuel Thompson, Barton Randall,
George W. Rollins, and others among the early pioneers of Wabash Point,
were in the local ministry of the Methodist Church, and all were earnest
workers. The "circuits were large, yet these men, laboring faithfully to supply
their own wants, and avoid being any burden on the infantile settlement, went
regularly on their rounds of preaching.
The places of worship at first were in the pioneers' cabins centrally located,
or, when the weather would permit, in some pleasant spot in the woods. The
first benches were simply split logs, the flat side dressed smooth with a broad-ax,
and supported by stout, short sticks for legs. No backs were made. When
not in use, the benches were piled in a corner of the cabin-yard, until the time
of service, when they were carried into the cabin and arranged to the best pur-
pose that habitation furnished. The most interesting time among the adher-
ents of this church was the regular camp- meeting. That was almost always
held in the woods, as no cabin could hold a tithe of the crowd that gathered.
A rude pulpit or platform was made, where three or four trees aff"orded a good
place for one, benches were made and arranged over the ground in front, and
the place was ready.
We have mentioned James Graham as one of the pioneer Methodist ministers
in this part of the county. He was little a eccentric in his ways, and, withal,
was not afraid to speak what he deemed right, even if the remarks touched
closely on some weak brothers or sisters. A good anecdote is preserved of him
by his colleague, Mr. Tremble, another local minister, yet living. As it illus-
trates other modes of life, we think it well worth a place in the history of the
county.
Among the class of wandering tradespeople, or peddlers, were a set known
as the "wooden-clock peddlers." These were nearly all Yankees, regarded by
the Southern people as a trafiicking, tricky set, ready to sell a wooden nutmeg
or any other sham. They, in turn, looked on the Kentuckians as a lazy, shift-
less class, subsisting on hog, hominy and corn-bread, and willing tools in their
hands. The peddlers did not scruple in the slightest to cheat them, or any
one, whenever they could. The cheating, in their opinion, was all right ; the
detection was what they feared. It seems these itinerant tradesmen had become
a nuisance to the good residents of this part of the county, and had merited their
disapprobation. Father Graham, among the rest, had suffered at their hands,
and rather smarted under the treatment.
Their common mode of procedure was first to canvass a district, selling all
the clocks they could, warranting them for a year or any length of time suitable
344 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
to their scheme. In a month or so, they would retrace their route, starting
from where they began with one clock, pretty well regulated. It would run
three or four days very well, and that was all they wanted. Part of the origi-
nal agreement was to replace the clock first sold in case it did not fulfill the
warrant. In that lay the trick. When they reached the first customer, they
found, as they expected and hoped, that the clock did not fulfill the contract, and
they at once replaced it with the one they had, charging a small fee for the
transfer and repair. Taking the clock they obtained here, they went on to
the next place, where the process was repeated, and so on till the end of the
route. For a few days the clocks went all right, and every one was delighted.
But after awhile, when they, too, began to keep all sorts of time, the settlers
began to grumble, and on comparing notes, discovered the cheat. The lesson,
however, did not always bear fruit, as erelong they were caught on the wooden
nutmeg, gilded jewelry and kindred appliances. They, like every one else,
seemed often to forget that nothing good can be obtained for less than its value,
however plausible the arguments in its favor may be.
While Father Graham was holding one of his camp-meetings, he was some-
Avhat disturbed by one of these itinerant merchants, who not only being a cheat
in business, was also a worthless character, and, as such, disturbed the meeting.
Father G., after vainly endeavoring, by private means, to reform or get rid of
him, determined to use decisive methods with him. At the morning service on
the Sabbath, the good minister, in his prayer, closed as follows :
" Lord, thy servants have been wonderfully annoyed by the bad actions
and wicked conduct of a fellow known all over this camp-ground as ' Wooden-
Clock Peddler.' Lord, if it is possible there be mercy lor such a wicked
wretch, may he find that mercy to-day, so that he repent of his great wicked-
ness, turn about and do better. But, Lord, if he is, as he appears to be, a
doomed wretch, why suff"er him to stay here as a hindrance to Thy great work ?
Lord, may he see that ' discretion is the better part of valor,' and leave
forthwith. But, Lord God, if he will not leave, kill him a little on the spot,
and save us from all wooden-clock peddlers forever. Amen ! "
"If ever I saw," says Mr. Tremble, "the eyes of a congregation turned
in search of an object, in was the eyes of that congregation, when they arose
from their knees at the close of the prayer." But the " wooden-clock peddler "
was seen only in the distance making rapid strides for some other locality. He
was seen no more on that camp-ground.
Enough adherents to this denomination had arrived by the year 1832 to
warrant the erection of a house of worship. A site was chosen near the pres-
ent Capp's Mill, and the people gathering together erected a log church. This
was rather a primitive affair, and for awhile served its purpose. The settlement
formed a kind of nucleus around which gathered three churches, not to speak of
those in Mattoon. This fact, in a measure, caused the Church here to disband,
and gather into three others, all out of the township, save one, which again.
HISTORY' OF COLES COUNTY. 345
about five years ago, erected the brick church, known as the "Little Wabash
Methodist Church." It is near the creek of that name, about four miles south-
west of Mattoon. It is a very comfortable church, while near it Avas built a neat
brick parsonage. The congregation numbers now about one hundred members.
Among the early settlers were several professing the Baptist and Cumber-
land Presbyterian creeds. The former of these built a church in Paradise
Township, the first church there. It is referred to in the history of that Town-
ship. The Cumberland Presbyterians have maintained pretty regular services
since their emigration, commencing before 1830. They have attended church
at Paradise generally until lately and did not build a church in Mattoon Town-
ship until about 1873, when they completed a very neat frame edifice, at an
expense of $1,600, which they now occupy. Theirs and the Little Wabash
Methodist Church are the only two houses of worship in the township outside
of Mattoon.
It has been rather difficult to determine the first year school was taught in
the Wabash Point settlement, and by whom. There was probably a school
taught in a cabin in the winter of 1827-28, or the next spring. Mrs. Elisha
Linder says she recollects going to a school, she thinks, the next summer, and that
James Waddill was the teacher. Mr. Tremble says in his sketches, that about
1831, Ujicle Jack Houching, with a few other neighbors, undertook to burn
brick, and built a small cabin for the benefit of the hands, just north of Mr.
John Thomas' spring. The brick project proved a failure and the cabin was
abandoned. The settlers not long after appropriated the cabin for school pur-
poses and fitted it for that purpose. Long slab seats, puncheon floor, and a
writing-desk from "end to end" at one side, were put in, the fire-place made
safe, and, taking out one of the side logs, covered the place left with greased
paper, and the house was ready. The teacher, Mr. Tremble, too, thinks was
James Waddill. He was paid so much per scholar, the idea of taxation for
education not then prevailing. The price per scholar depended on the number
of scholars promised. If twenty-five or thirty were subscribed the price was
generally $2.50 or $3 each. The teacher commonly " boarded 'round," a
practice not now indulged in. Teachers were always hired by the quarter —
three months — and when they were not paid in money, accepted common
articles of barter. Capt. W. E. Adams, in his Centennial Address, refers
to this school as follows: The first schoolhouse in that section was a
cabin, built in 1830. Before it was occupied as a school, a man named
Ledbetter moved his family into it. Soon after this, George Hanson went down
to order him out. Ledbetter, however, was master of the situation, and chased
Hanson oS" with a meat- ax. Hanson, in his fiight, stubbed his toe and fell
down, and in his fall Ledbetter split the back of his coat-tail open with the ax.
After school had been held in this cabin a term or two, it was removed to the
old log church, built on the site of Capp's mill or near it, and referred to in the
history of churches just noted. This school was, it must be borne in mind, in
346 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Paradise Township. School was kept here, or in the cabins, until about 1844
or 1845, when the first schoolhouse, built expressly for such purposes, was
erected in Mattoon Township. That was about the dawn of the present school-
system of Illinois. It had been agitated as early as 1827, renewed in 1835-
86. and a few subsequent Legislatures, but so distasteful was the idea of tax-
ation to the southern portion of the State, that not until 1844-45 did the first
permanent school law come into force.
This schoolhouse was used until the present one, erected during the war on
its site, superseded it. It was not alone possessor of the field long. Other
parts of the township began to fill rapidly witli settlers, especially when the
railroads were opened, and, as necessity required, houses were built. The open,
ing of high schools in Mattoon gave additional facilities for instruction, which
have, in a measure, been well improved.
EARLY MILLS, MILLING, ETC.
We have incidentally noticed the grater and mortar, and described their
modes of use. Following these primitive mills, we will notice those that suc-
ceeded, viz., the hand and horse mills. The hand-mill was quite an improve-
ment on the hominy-block. It consisted of two small circular stones, 14 or 16
inches acros the face, and made something like the millstones of to-day. The
lower stone was made fast to some timbers, with a hoop bent around it and pro-
jecting some three or four inches above, forming a receptacle for the upper stone.
This had a hole in the center, through Avhich the corn was dropped by the hand,
and was made to fit the under stone as well as the tools of the day could dress
it. Near the outer rim, a hole was drilled into it about 1 J inches across, and of
the same depth. Into this an upright was fastened, its upper end secured in
the ceiling, or to some immovable piece of timber. The lower stone had a |-
inch hole, drilled from 2 to 3 inches in depth, in the center, and a round piece
of iron driven firmly in. Its top projected about the same distance above. The
top formed a pivot, and by the aid of a flat piece of iron, was cut to a half
circle, with flanges on each end, so as to fit the notches cut in each side of the
" runner." This iron was placed in the " eye " of the upper stone, generally
called the "runner," with the concave side down. Its under side was so
notched as to fit the pivot and balance, so that when forced around it kept its
place. These simple arrangements completed the outfit. When meal was
wanted, a measure of shelled corn was placed near, from which the corn was
dropped in by the left hand, while the stone was turned by the right. It was
given a rapid motion, and, if heavy, both hands were used, and an attendant
dropped the corn into the center hole. At one place, the under stone was
sometimes made slightly sloping, and a spout inserted in the iron rim surround-
ing the stone, through which the meal was forced as it was ground.
It will be observed by the reader, that this kind of mill is spoken of in the
Bible, only that the handle was commonly a foot or more in height. It is as old as
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 349
the world, almost, and, in ancient times, was almost always operated by women.
The Savior referred to the custom of women grinding at the mill, when He said,
" The one shall be taken and the other left."
The horse-mill was simply the hand-mill made too large and heavy for one
person to turn, and was rigged something after the manner a common circu-
lar sweep is now made. To this a horse or mule was hitched and driven in a
circle. It was often rigged with a pulley made of a leather band, and thereby
given an increased motion. The hand-mill was also rigged with cogs and bands,
and arranged so two or four men could turn it with a crank. It was toler-
ably hard work, but it was often the case that, when properly rigged in this way,
a bushel of grain could be ground in forty minutes.
After the horse-mills came into use, the hand-mills were largely abandoned.
They were too slow when a better way was known, and gradually came to be a
a thing of the past.
It is not stated that any horse-mills were built in Mattoon Township. The
older parts of the county had them first, and to them the settlers were accus-
tomed to go. Many of the old settlers now living, well remember getting up at
3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, preparatory to getting early to the mill, hopino-
to get there in advance of any one else, only to find, perchance, a whole " string
of wagons ahead of them," as they express it, and being obliged to remain a
day or two awaiting their turn. No water or steam mills were built in Mattoon
Township till after the city was started, when they were erected there. As
their history properly belongs to the history of the city, the reader is refer-red
to that, where the subject, as concerns this township, is concluded.
EARLY MAILS AND THE OLD STAGES.
The first mail facilities enjoyed in this part of the country were indeed quite
meager. Letters were few and far between, while newspapers were a rarity.
The postage, was, in the early days of post-routes, governed by the distance the
letter was sent, ranging from five to twenty-five cents. After the express com-
panies started and began to carry them at a cheaper rate, the Government low-
ered the cost from time to time until the present rate was established. The first
post office, says Mr. Hiram Tremble, for the Little Wabash Point settlement
was established at George M. Hanson's, who drew up a petition for one, obtained
the necessary signatures and sent it on to Washington. Capt. Adams states
also, that this was the first post office in the county, and that it was established
by George M. Hanson, who was the Postmaster. The office was named Paradise,
in memory of Paradise Post Office iuVirginia, in the county where Mr. Hanson was
born. These two were the only post offices of that name in the United States.
The office was located here in 1829, and remained with Mr. Hanson about two
years, when it was removed to the State Line Road, just then being opened. There
it was kept by Mr. William Langstou, who had what was known as the " Relay
House," i. e., where the stage-horses were changed. This stage-road, or, more
350 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
properly. State Road, had formerly been a trace or trail, simply a bridle-path,
and led from Charleston to Shelbyville and on to Vandalia, the old State capi-
tal. At first the mail was carried on horse-back, and made a weekly trip.
The road passed through Mattoon Township, a little north of the present
village of Paradise : hence, when the post office was removed to Mr. Langs-
ton's, it was still in Mattoon Township. It remained at the " Relay House "
about two years, when it was taken to a little embryo town located on the
Houtchin Farm, called Richmond, where G. W. Nabb had quite a store, in
which the office was kept ; Mr. Nabb, Postmaster. The office remaiiicd there
till the Alton & Terre Haute Railroad was completed and Mattoon founded.
There is considerable dispute among the old settlers concerning this post
office and its frequent removals. We have given Mr. Tremble's recollections,
which some pronounce correct, while others think a little differently. It
seems impossible to reconcile all the statements regarding it. The subject is
further treated in Paradise Township.
After the stages began running, the mail was changed to a bi-weekly, then
to a tri-weekly, and when the railroad came, to a daily mail. The old stage-
coach was as much an improvement on the modes of travel preceding it, as the
railway of to-day is an improvement on the coach. It was generally quite
gorgeously painted, were made secure, and would carry just as many passen-
gers as could get inside and on its top. This propensity to crowd stages has
given rise in this day to the trite proverb, " There is always room for one
more in a stage." They were drawn by four horses commonly, but in times of
bad roads six or eight would be hitched to it. The driver was perched on top
in a comfortable seat at the front, and nearly always had a passenger with him.
In times of good roads and fine weather, the driver's seat was often sought, as
it gave such commanding views of the country. When the fierce prairie
storms abounded, and winter set his icy hand on everything, it required a brave
man to face the contest. Not unfrequently drivers perished at their post in
unusually severe weather. The most interesting time was probably in the
spring, when the ground was thawing out. The. soil of the prairies would
sometimes freeze two or three feet deep, especially in low, wet places, conse-
quently the thawing-out process reached down that depth, where it com-
monly met the perpetually wet undersoil, producing what was termed, in
the common parlance of the day, a road with "no bottom." Then it was,
indeed, interesting to the passengers. First one side of the coach was
down, then the other, alternately pitching the passengers right and left.
About as soon as they got used to this mode of travel, the fore wheels would
go suddenly down to the axle, and a forward lurch of the passengers followed.
As they came up, the hind wheels went down, and a retrograde movement
on the part of the passengers was the result. Relief from this alternate
pitching arose only when an eminence was reached, or when the passengers
walked.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 851
Sometimes exciting drives occurred, especially when the driver wanted to
give a team " all the running they wanted." He would ply them with the
whip, and keep them at a full gallop until completely broken of their desire to
run away. If the road was a few inches deep in mud, the condition of the pas-
sengers, unless securely inclosed, can be well imagined. They came out of the
race considerably sprinkled with the prairie soil. These days of the stage con-
tinued till the opening of the railroads in 1855, when they it farther west,
only in time to be obliged to give way to the fleet iron horse, destined in time
to entirely supersede it.
•^ ^ EARLY COURTS.
From the first settlement until society became established, the settlers were
generally a law unto themselves. They were too remote from the county seat
before Coles County was erected, and settled disputes among themselves. They
were exceeding honorable in their dealings with each other, and rarely did occa-
sion require of them recourse to law. When it did, the punishment was sure
and swift. They abhorred the petty vices, stealing, lying, etc., and would com-
pletely ostracize any one found guilty. As all were poor and mutually depend-
ent on each other, they were strict in their observance of the right, and would
aid one another to the farthest extent of their ability, did he show any disposi-
tion to try to do for himself. At every house-raising all did their part ; all
wanted to, and should any one evince a disposition to shirk, he was made to feel
his dependence whenever he wanted any help from his neighbors. Mr. Trem-
ble says he does not remember of but one theft occurring in the neighborhood
from the date of its first settlement in 1827, till after the first election in 1831.
The theft and its punishment were characteristic of the times, and will suffice as a
good illustration for the " court proceeding " of the day.
One of the settlers had killed a beef, and, to secure the hide, bent down a
small sapling, attached the hide to the top branch, and allowed the tree to
spring back to its place, bearing the hide aloft, far out of the reach of wolves
or any other species of thieves. He never once thought of any person stealing-
it, and hence allowed it to remain in the tree-top over night. The next morn-
ing it was gone. By what means, he coiild not determine, but he felt sure
nothing but a human being could have secured it. He sent word to a few of
the neighbors, and soon word was all over the settlement that a theft had
occurred; something so unusual, that all left their work and gathered at the
settler's cabin, determined to find the off"ender and give him his merits. By
some means, the hide was tracked to its place of concealment. The guilty man
was now to be apprehended, in case they c6uld find him. He had been sus-
pected, it seems, from- the start, for, in a scattered community like this, every
one was pretty well known, and two citizens were deputed to search his
premises. They returned in an hour or so, with the information that they
could not find him, though they had given the cabin and its contents a thor-
ough examination. The settlers were not satisfied, and a second search was
352 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
instituted, in which all took a part. Under the bed, a puncheon was found
displaced, and a lot of rags and old quilts substituted. Removing these, tlie
thief was discovered between the floor and the sill of the cabin. He was at
once brought forth, and a trial held. The tears of his wife and children could
not avail now : the pioneers were determined to punish theft whenever found.
One among their number was appointed Judge, another Sherift", another Prose-
cutor, and a fourth, counsel for the defense. The trial was held under a large
elm-tree in the east side of Dry Grove. Everything was conducted decorously,
and, at its close, the prisoner was sentenced to receive thirty lashes on his
naked back, at the hands of the Sherift' — and that at the close of the next two
hours. Court was held about a mile from the prisoner's cabin, and, before the
execution of the sentence was carried into eft'ect, he begged to be allowed to see
his family. This was granted, and the Sherift' ordered to see him safely home
and back. On the way to his cabin, he was informed by the officer that if he
would leave the country that night, '■ hook and line." with the promise never
to be seen in those parts again, he would let him escape. The Sherift' informed
him that he must, however, run for life, for as soon as he started he (the
Sherift") would shout at the top of his voice, " Stop thief! Stop thief!" By
this time, they were out of sight of the Court, and the Sherift", pointing one way,
remarked, '' That's your course," and away he went at the top of his speed.
The Sheriff" appeared to be after him, yelling with all his might. "" Stop thief ! "
The Court, of course, heard, and, immediately forgetting its dignity, started,
pell-mell, in pursuit. The prisoner, however, had the start, and made good his
escape. He was joined by his family afterward, and was never seen again in
these parts. He had, doubtless, learned a lesson he never forgot, and. it is
hoped, one he heeded. It was, undoubtedly, part of the plan to allow him to
escape, but to so thoroughly intimidate him that others would heed the lesson.
Whether the trial was just in its conclusions or nut, and its mode of action
commendable, can hardly be doubted, in the condition society then existed.
Even were such methods adopted now, so thoroughly prompt and decisive, it is
hardly an open question but that it would sometimes be better. After the
county was organized, the processes of civil law were carried out, and, from
that date down, we are not informed of any impromptu courts and court pro-
ceedings.
We have thus fiir narrated the leading events in the history of Mattoon
Township. The history of its organization is given in the general county
history, and, as it did not occur until four years after Mattoon village was
established, we will proceed directly to the history of the city, and, in like
manner, note its important events.
The town is the outgrowth of the crossing of the two railroads, and dates
its beu"inning from tiiat occurrence. When the original surveys for the rail-
roads were made, it was predicted that a town would grow up at their crossing;
but until the exact location of the routes was determined, no one ventured to
HISTORY OF COLES C0UI1TY. 853
purchase the ground and prepare for the expected village. It was at one time
thought that the crossino; would be made about two miles north of the site of
Mattoon, and a town, to be called Arno, was laid out there by David A. Neal,
of Massachusetts, owner of the land. The survey was made by John Meadows,
March 14, 1855.
The routes of the roads were pretty certainly established by 1852, and in
that year a company of persons, prominent among whom were Elisha Linder,
Ebenezer Noyes, James T. Cunningham, Stephen D. Dole, John L. Allison
and John Cunningham, purchased Section 13, in Township 12, and concluded
to plat thereon a town. Two years elapsed before this was done, during which
interval, Davis Carpenter, Usher F. Lrnder, H. Q. Sanderson, Harrison Mes-
ser, Samuel B. Richardson, W. B. Puell, Josiah Hunt and Charles Nabb
obtained an interest, and, by direction of all these persons, a town was laid out
on December 12, 1854, by John Meadows, then County Surveyor. It must be
borne in mind that the grant of land given by the Government in aid of the
Illinois Central Bailroad (a full history of which appears elsewhere), included
only alternate sections in the belt, and that, to equalize the I'evenue from the
remaining sections, the price was doubled. These men, then, paid for Section
12 $2.50 per acre, which, considering the location, was certainly cheap enough.
No sooner was the survey made than preparations for building began. Men
did not wait for a sale of lots, but went to the proprietors and selected such lots
as they desired, began building on them, with the understanding that they be
allowed them as their choice on the day of sale ; that then they really be con-
firmed in their purchase. The first building brought on the town site w^as an
old structure moved here from La Fayette Township by Blueford Sexton, and
used as a kind of lodging-house, boarding-house and toolhouse. Anything that
would in any way shelter a person w\as acceptable, and Avas, as they termed it,
"better than nothing." On the 28th day of March, 1855, the next spring
after the survey. Mr. R. H. McFadden raised the first house erected on the
site of Mattoon. It stands on its original site, on the south side of First
street, just east of the Illinois Central Railroad track, and is now occupied by
Mrs. Cartmell. The house, when built, contained two front rooms, one of
which was intended for a store, and in it Flemming & Sexton opened the first
stock of goods offered for sale in the town. This was done early in April, and
by that time several other buildings were in course of erection. Afterward,
Cartmell and Dr. Camp had a small drug store in the room, and when Mr.
Noyes built a small brick store west of the railroad, the stock was moved there.
Dr. Camp was deaf and dumb, and lived awhile in one half of Mr. Cunningham's
warehouse, built on the north side of the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, before
the sale of lots,occurred. The pioneer drug store was closed out in the little brick.
Two days after Mr. McFadden raised his house, an enterprising individual
set up a little board shanty a short distance south of him, and began selling
whisky and other compounds.
3o4 HISTORY OF rOLES COUNTY.
James M. True opened a store soon after. John Allison built a small land
office ; Ebenezer Noyes a small brick building on the ground now occupied by
Mr. Tremble's house, on West Charleston street ; John Cunningham, a ware-
liouse, in the eastern part of town, near where the car-shops are now situated.
Michael Toby and others erected dwellings, and the lively times of frontier
Western towns Avere indicated on all hands. Mr. Toby says he had been here in
the fall before, looking over the ground, and decided to locate. In the winter,
probably in January, he and a number of others met in a little shanty made of
sod and plank, and placed near the crossing, then only located, where they ex-
amined the map of the new town and selected lots. They were all known as
"Improvement lots." paid for by putting so much improvement on each lot,
for which, as yet, the plat not being acknowledged and recorded, no deeds
could be made. He went back to the Kickapoo timber, where he was living,
and, before spring, had erected two barns for some of the residents there, and
had the timbers for his house ready. He came again to Mattoon when the
building began, and, that summer, assisted in erecting a good many structures,
as well as building his own house.
The sale of lots was extensively advertised by means of hand-bills sent all
over the country. The 15th day of May was the day set, and on the 14th,
the proprietors went to Charleston, where they acknowledged the plat before
Eli Wiley, a Justice, and had it recorded.
On the next morning, a construction-train came over from Terre Haute,
that railroad being completed this far, bringing a great number of buyers. All
the people from the surrounding country came on horse-back to see the cars they
ha<l heard so much about, and which so many had never seen.
The auctioneer was Samuel Adams, of Terre Haute. During the sale,
various races occurred between fleet horses and the locomotive and between one
anotiier. Foot-racing, wrestling, leaping and other things of such hilarious
nature were indulged among the attendants who came to see, while not a few,
especially among the ladies, were compelled to stand and hold their horses,
there being no places to hitch, and no places, except in the unfinished houses,
to find seats. The sale passed off very satisfactorily, a large part of the lots
finding purchasers. Great expectations existed on the part of the majority of
the purchasers: a large town, predicted they, would some day grace the high hill
on which the city is built. All Western towns partook of the same spirit, but
all were not successful in reaching their anticipations. The embryo village was
by this time named. In casting about for a suitable synonym whereby it should
be known to the world, the proprietors took into consideration the advantages
accruing from the railroads, which had, indeed, been the cause of the town, and
determined in some way to perpetuate their construction. The contracting firm
for the Terre Haute & Alton road was Phelps, Mattoon ^: Barnes, of Spring-
field, Mass. They had been extensive contractors, having built, in the previ-
ous decade, the Rome & Watertown, the Buffalo cS: Corning and the Watertown
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 355
■k Potsdam Railroads. The second partner, Mr. William Mattoon, was very
actively engaged here when they were building the Terre Haute &; Alton Road,
and became quite well known along the line. In honor of him, the city of
which we are writing received its name. He and Messrs. Dawsen and Messer
were, in 1857-58, engaged on the towers of the suspension bridge ar Cincinnati,
and for a few years after, Mr. Mattoon was actively engaged in such pursuits.
About 1859, he began to spend the most of his time at home, on his fine farm near
Westfield, where he lived the remainder of his life, devoting himself to the raising
fine stock. His herds of fine Devon cattle are said to have taken more pre-
miums that any other herd in the United States. Mr. Mattoon died a few months
ago. He will always be remembered by the old citizens here, whose city, as
well as a street in Springfield, Mass., will perpetuate his memory.
After the sale of lots on May 15, the greatest activity prevailed here in
the erection of houses. Lodging and boarding were very hard to get. Every
one was "full," and accommodations of every kind were brought into use.
Labor was high, as it always is such times, and laborers flocked to Mattoon to
share in the prosperity. Work on both railroads was carried on, and num-
bers of men found temporary homes here. The inevitable results followed.
Whisky was brought on by unlawful persons, and a saloon started. To the
credit of one or two of the contractors, it is to be said, they gave some of the
saloon-keepers so long a time to leave — they left. But the temptation was strong
and whisky, in one way and another, would come. It seems to be the inevitable
follower of all frontier towns, and Mattoon was no exception to the rule.
Though the town had now a few stores, several houses, and a great many in
the course of construction, it lacked that commodity of all towns, a hotel.
Messrs. Sanderson and Carpenter, two of the original proprietors, were, however,
preparing to supply the deficiency. As labor was high here, they had the tim-
ber all framed and put in readiness at Terre Haute, and on Sunday, June 30,
1855, erected the first hotel — the Pennsylvania House — in the town. It stood
on the south side of Broadway, just west of the present Mattoon National Bank,
occupying part of the ground now used by that building. It was already to
put together when it arrived, and before night the frame was up. It had, how-
ever, been constructed like man}' another building, a little weak, and after the
third floor and the rafters were finished, the structure gave way, letting that
floor and the rafters down upon the second. Props and braces were imme-
diately applied, and the disaster remedied. Not a few of the people expressed
their disapprobation at the erection of the building on the Sabbath day, while
some afiirmed the falling of its upper storv was a judgment sent on the builders
for desecrating the day. The building probably fell because it was poorly con-
structed. Many persons stoutly affirm that this hotel was raised on the Fourth
of July. All were agreed that it was raised on Sunday. The writer of these
pages, with several others, made a calculation, based on an invariable rule in
mathematics, and found that the Fourth of July in 1855 came on Wednesday.
356 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
It was also found correct by several tests. The fact was then developed that it
was raised on the Sunday previous, and opened with a big dinner on the Fourth.
Tlie hotel opened with a good run of custom, and for many years did a good
business. Old people well remember it, and in its day it did an important work
in the growth of the town. It gave way, finally, to the demands of trade, and
the erection of better buildings, and was removed to give place to the present
biick houses occupying its site.
While on the subject of hotels we will notice some of the subsequent ones
erected.
The same summer the Pennsylvania House was built, another hotel, known
as the Union House, was constructed on the ground now occupied by the Opera-
house. It was erected by a man named Bain, and was used for the stage office
until the connection between each railroad was finished. This hotel was not
completed till fall. It was known as the Kentucky House, and was kept by
Mr. W. H. K. Pile, and after him by John Davis. Like the Pennsylvania
House, it became a favorite stopping-place and enjoyed a good reputation, and
it. too, like its predecessor, gave way before the march of improvement and is
among the things of the past.
In the spring of 1857. Mr. Morgan Griffin came to Mattoon to superintend
for a Mr. Radcliff, of New York, the building of the Essex House. Mr. Ebene-
zer Noyes, owned the most of the original plat of the town lying west of the
Illinois Central Railroad, and gave Mr. R. the lot on which to erect the house.
He was also to build brick business houses on the reiiiainder of the block to
the west end of the street. Mr. Noyes had about this time purchased Section
14 from the Railroad Company, intending to lay it out in lots. He had
purchased for his brother. Dr. Frank Noyes, Section 15, in 1852, and had
platted that in large lots. Between him and the proprietors of Section 13,
the original plat of the city, arose an estrangement, resulting in his pur-
chasing Sections 14 and 15, and platting them. The residents have always
noticed the "jog," or set-oif in the streets running west frcm the end of Broad-
way. This was done when Mr. Noyes had the plat made. In the extreme
efforts made between the East and West Towns to secure the center of town,
considerable " Avire-pulling " was indulged, resulting in not the best of feeling.
This, however, existed more between the proprietors, in their endeavors to
further their own interests, than between the people, who cared more for a suit-
able location than anything else, leaving the ascendency of either side to reg-
ulate itself. In the erection of the Essex House, Mr. Radcliff failed to carry
out the plan, and, after the walls were built, it came into the possession of Mr.
Noyes, who completed it, built the rear addition, opened it to the public in 1859,
and managed it several years. Mr. Daniel Messer, the present landlord, assumed
charge in 1869. The house has always been a prominent stopping-place,
situated as it is at the junction, and being occupied by the depot and ticket-
office;
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 357
The hotels of after years may be briefly noticed. When the Essex House
was built, it was the third brick building in town, others, however, began to
appear, when the war of the rebellion came, stopping almost all operations until
after its close. The other hotels erected are the City Hotel, the Everett House,
now unoccupied, and the present Dole House. This latter is situated on the south-
east corner of Broadway and First street, and was begun in 1868, by a stock com-
pany. Not long after, the Dole Brothers obtained control, and completed it in
1871. ft was opened as the Mattoon House, under the management of John
W. Ha.wley, now of the Everett House, St. Louis. As the Dole Brothers were
the principal builders of the hotel, and, as it was opened by them, the name
was changed in honor of them. On the 15th of March, 1877, Stubbins
Brothers took charge of it, and, on the 18th of December, lfe78, purchased the
building. They have remodeled and improved it, and have secured a large
part of the traveling public. A few other small hotels and boarding-houses
complete the list. None, however, but the Dole, Essex and City Hotels are
run upon the regular hotel plans, and these three may be said to transact the
principal business in their line.
Going again to the early history of the time, we find the summer of 1855
one of great activity. Conley and Hitchcock opened a store among those that
we have mentioned ; the post office was established, and Mr. True made Post-
master, with Mr. Thomas E. Woods as Deputy ; a small schoolhouse was
erected on East Broadway, and the life of Mattoon, in its various phases, was
fully begun. Mr. McFadden and others yet living in town, state that, before
the building season had closed, upward of one hundred buildings were to be
seen, all of which were occupied that winter.
Through the winter, school was maintained in the small frame house
alluded to. Religious services were conducted, principally by the Baptists, in
each other's houses, or in the schoolhouse, while a few ministers of other
denominations came to see what could bo done for their churches, and occasion-
ally held meetings in some of the houses, or in the schoolhouse. The railroads
were woi'king to complete connections between the two incomplete ends, and
the continued, active life of the town hardly abated any for the cold weather
experienced. Before the holidays, the Terre Haute & Alton completed the
remainder of their line, and, by January 1, 1856, trains were running from
Chicago to Cairo, over the Illinois Central.
Some of the business houses were built in the northeast part of town, tiot
far from where Mr. John Cunningham had his warehouse, and where a stren-
uous effort was made to secure the center of the business portion. Here Mr.
Cartmell opened a small drug store, with Dr. Camp, the first disciple of Escu-
lapius in the town, as partner. The inexorable law of business could not be
broken here, and the center of town insisted on remaining near the railroad
crossing. The holders of property in the eastern part of the village saw this»
finally, and gave way to the stern demands of trade.
358 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
The next spring, building began anew ; business houses, dwellings and
shops began to appear. The first permanent brick store in town was erected
for True and Cunningham, by Mr. Michael Toby, then a builder, and, before
winter, it was ready for furnishing. It is yet standing on the southeast corner
of Broadway and Second street, and is now occupied by the meat-shop of Mr.
John Hunt. It was the only brick built that season. Several stores were,
liowever, erected, and more dwellings commenced, all of which were not com-
pleted before winter came ; a few other shops were built, and Mattoon was
coming to the front among Western towns. Another most important addition
iippeared in June, an adjunct that all Western towns demand, and that all
get nearly as soon as they are started. We refer to the newspaper. In June,
of that year, the Grazette appeared, setting forth the merits of the town and
advertising its advantages. This was started by Mr. R. W. Houghton, on the
Tth day of June, and, from its columns, considerable is gleaned respecting the
joung city, which is given in extracts from the paper published in the sketch
of the press, further on in the narrative. The editor thinks the population of
Mattoon can safely be put down at oOO persons, and is certain of that number
in an issue a year after.
That summer, the Baptists erected a small frame house of worship, and,
during the winter, held regular services therein. They allowed other denomi-
nations to use the little church when they had no minister. The small frame
schoolhouse had become entirely too small now for the increased juvenile popu-
lation, and a larger and more comfortable brick structure took its place. It,
however, was not erected till 1857 (some assert, one year later), and in the
interim, the winter of 1856-57, school was taught in a room over Mr. True's
store and in parts of some unfinished buildings.
In the spring of 1857, ground was broken for the Essex House, which,
when completed, was the largest and finest house in town. It was not, how-
ever, finished for two years. Its history has already been given, and neeil
nut be repeated here.
This summer, the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians organized con-
gregations, and began to hold meetings in each other's houses, in empty store-
rooms, or in a small hall that had been completed. A year or so after,
they erected their houses of worship, and were joined by other denomina-
tions, the history of whose operations is given in connection with that of their
churches.
In May of this year. 65 votes were cast for tlie incorporation of the town
and 25 votes against the measure, making a total of 00 voters in the town
limits. Assuming the usual ratio of voters to the population, this would give
Mattoon fully as many inhabitants as the editor of the G-azette predicted, a
year before, in his first issue of his paper.
In June, of this year, the limits of the town were greatly extended by the
addition made by Mr. Ebenezer Noyes. He, as has been noticed, purchased
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 359
Section 15 for his brother, in 1852, at the land-sale when the original plat of
Mattoon was purchased, and had this laid out in acre tracts. Some of these
had now been sold, as "great expectations" were fully indulged in b}'- the
inhabitants of the embryo city. He purchased Section 14 from the Central
Railroad, at a good price per acre, as the officers of that corporation were fully
alive to the prospects of Mattoon and the nearness of their section of land.
As has been intimated, Mr. Noyes and the proprietors of the east side of town
could not agree ; and, when he platted Section 14, he made a "jog" in all the
streets, and gave new names to those running west. Hence, when Broadway
reaches the western limits of the old plat, it suddenly turns northward and
sioes on west under the name of Western avenue. All streets in this addition
conform to this rule, and cause no little wonderment on the part of strangers
who do not understand the cause of the difference.
The life of Mattoon from this date on down to the war bears with it but
little history. Several churches were erected ; a good schoolhouse built in each
ward, an account of which appears in the history of. education and religion
further on in these pages ; a few brick stores were built ; one or two mills and
an elevator or two appeared ; a bank opened : dwellings were erected in all
parts of town, and its life varied but little from the regular growth of all
Western towns.
In looking over the files of newspapers of this period, the Grazette being
joined by the Journal, several interesting items are gleaned.
We learn that a fire company was organized in March, 1861, and that the
Council appropriated flOO for buying three dozen buckets and other appli-
ances. The following were the officers of this company : Ebenezer Noyes,
President ; H. F. Kelley, First Director ; P. J. Drake, Second Director ;
Carson Knight, Secretary ; Edw. A. Thielens, Treasurer ; B. N. Skelton,
G. F. Bateman and John Nabb, Standing Committee: Rufus Noyes, Mes-
senger.
Whatever service this or any succeeding fire company performed is not recorded
by the papers. It is a fair inference, however, that this, or whatever companies
succeeded it, did their share in putting out fires. The city has never been well
supplied in this respect, and to-day no organization exists, nor is there any pro-
vision made to support one. A fire starts, and is simply allowed to burn out.
An expensive fire department might not be advisable ; but an organization
could be supported by volunteers, a hook, ladder and bucket brigade be easily
kept up, and much valuable property saved. It is argued that it is cheaper to
let the buildings burn, and get the insurance. That will be practically demon-
strated, some time in a dry season, if a fire starts in the west end of town,
and, fed by a strong west wind, burns out the entire business part of Mattoon.
It has been done in other towns, and may occur here.
While on this subject, it might be interesting to note briefly some of the
principal conflagrations that have occurred here.
360 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
In tht' sketches following these pages, some account of the destruction by
fire of mills, elevators and such structures is given. Here we will notice what
pertained to the residence and uusiness portion. The papers chronicle the
destruction, on Sunday morning, January 1, 1866, of a house owned by Mr.
E. Regan, whose loss was nearly $5,000 ; his insurance a little over $3,000.
The same fire destroyed the stock of Mr. Fitzgerald, a baker and confectioner,
whose loss was $2,300, but whose insurance was $4,300. Everharty & Co.
lost $500, less the insurance of $300 ; while others lost, in the aggregate,
$5,000.
The Journal of September 4, 1867, records the loss of Hart & Co.'s livery-
stable, on August 26, with all its contents, including seventeen horses, eight
carriages and buggies, and a mow full of hay. The loss was fully $6,000. on
which only a small insurance was carried. Many of the horses belonged to
citizens of the city. The fire spread from the stable to Col. H. L. Hart's
residence, immediately south, which was also burned. Fortunately, the wind
blew from the north, keeping the flames away from Broadway, else the loss
might have been dreadful.
The same issue of the Journal records the destruction, on the Wednesday
night before, of the residence of Mr. Ephraim Orr, in the northeast part of the
citv. The Journal states that the buihling was known as the " Cartmell House,"
built by Mr. Edward Cartmell in 1855 ; also, that in it Gen. True kept a stock
of goods and the first post office in Mattoon. Gen. True was Postmaster, while
the editor, Capt. T. E. Woods, was Clerk, and Deputy. The loss on this
building was about $1,500.
Under date of November 9, 1867. the Journal chronicles another destruc-
tive conflagration — this time, the large agricultural warehouse owned by Ebene-
zer Noyes. It was probably set on fire by sparks from a locomotive passing at
night, and it was some time before it was discovered. Two of Mr. Noyes' sons
narrowly escaped burning, as they were asleep in the building at the time, and*
did not awaken until near too late to save themselves. One of them, Eben,
was badly burned before he was rescued. The building was a huge three-story
frame, and made a great light. The loss on the building was $6,000, and on
the stock was $3,000. The insurance was about $5,000. leaving a large loss.
Other prominent fires were the destruction of John Cunningham's elevator,
the elevator just north of the Essex House, a mill or two, nearly all of which
are mentioned in a chapter devoted to that subject.
Last winter, during the excessive cold weather, five serious fires occurred,
almost one after the other. As no organized effort toward the extinguishment
of fires exists, they were allowed to burn out. The same occurred in the month
of February, wlien Mr. Walsh lost his dwelling.
Aside from the calamity of fire suffered in Mattoon, the place has, once or
twice, been visited by severe storms, one of which deserves mention. In Sep-
tember, 1864, a great storm occurred, occasioning a very serious loss of prop -
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 361
erty, and, in some instances, several persons injured. The JournaL of Sep-
tember 28 gives the following account of the storm :
" This place was visited, on last Friday evening, by one of the most terrific
storms ever known in this part of the State. Dense, reddish-black clouds made
their appearance, a little north of west, about 3 o'clock, and in less than ten
minutes the storm burst upon us in its wildest fury, tearing down awnings,
blowing down and unroofing buildings, and scattering about everything mova-
ble. The flying dust was so thick and the darkness so great, that one might
-well imagine that the very clouds had descended to the earth and lifted every
particle of loose earth. The damage in town was great,,yet we do not suppose
it more than equals that in the country, where houses were unroofed and fences
and corn leveled to the ground in great number. The following is the list of
the principal injuries, as far as we have been able to learn, within the corpora-
tion limits :
"• IM. E. Church, two-thirds unroofed and windows and plastering much
broken. Damage, about $1,500.
'' Smoke-stacks of Thomas Jennings" woolen-factory and T. Alexander's
flouring-mill blown down.
•• Mr. Hutton's new two-storv frame house, partly finished, leveled to the
crround.
'• Fence to Smith & Jones' lumber-yard blown down and thousands of feet
of lumber and shingles blown away and broken up.
'• Shed, formerly warehouse to Monroe's store-building, blown down.
•■ The new brick of Dole Brothers was much damaged, the window-facings
of the east and south sides and several feet of the wall being blown down.
•' The wooden awnings in front of Wilson, Bro. & Co., P. J. Drake and two
or three other establishments on the east side of the Illinois Central Railroad,
torn from their fastenings and hurled into the street.
" In the west part of town, Mr. Cullom's house was twisted oft" the founda-
tion, nearly all the furniture broken, and William Waggoner's house was
wrested from its foundation and badly smashed up.
" John Walkup's new two-story house, unfinished, moved from its founda-
tion and badly injured, as was also the residence of J. Vallandigham.
" The smoke-stacks of Muchmore & Co.'s planing-mill and Jones' flouring-
mill were blown down, and it was with great diflUculty the planing-mill could be
prevented from burning.
'• Chapin & Pilkington's lumber-yards badly scattered, and much lumber
broken.
" The houses of P. Hennessy and R. M. Bridges were both leveled to the
ground,
" The Essex House was badly damaged, all the chimneys and two-thirds of
the iron roof of the north side .^tripped off", and the whole upper story exposed to
the furious rain which followed. Sheets of iron ten feet long were carried more
362 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
than a hundred yards, one of which was hurled through the show-window iw
Mr. Drakes store.
" The stairway leading to the second story of Francis & Drake's store,
which was on the west side of the building, with a high board fence on the
north and a two-story brick on the west, was lifted from its place and hurled
back nearly twenty feet, the wind having sucked down and lifted it out.
'' Chimneys, out-houses, stables and fences were blown down by the score
all over town, and a number of windows broken by flying fragments. Thirty
or forty feet square of the roof of the M. E. Church was carried, rafters and
all, completely over the residence of Mr. Ellis, just east of the church, and
fell a little south of the church, mashing down over seventy-five feet of fencing,
knocking off" a chimney and breaking twenty-four panes of glass out of his
windows. About twenty feet of the roof was taken nearly one hundred yards
almost due south of the church.
'• In the countrv nine miles west, the two-storv residence of James Munson
was moved from its foundation and badly racked, and that of Jesse Armentrout
entirely demolished, as were several other buildings in the same neighborhood.
Corn fields and fences were all leveled, and in many fields scarcely a blade is
left, and even the corn is blown off" the stalks.
" The residence of Thomas Meredith, three miles west, was also blown over
and one of the corner-stones moved ten feet.
" The track of the storm seems to have been almost directly west to east,
and about nine miles wide, having left its terrible marks all the way from Hills-
boro to Paris, over one hundred miles. We understand that the M. E. Church
and several other buildings were unroofed at the former place, and from the
Paris Beacon and Blade we learn that a part of the steeple of the M. E.
Church was blown off", falling through the roof and damaging the building about
$1,500. The Presbyterian Church was also severely injured, many other
houses blown down, and much other damage done at that place.
'' We have not learned of much damage being done at Charleston and other
towns along the line, but have no doubt it has seriously injured all towns lying
in its pathway. "
A few other storms have sv/ept over the prairies of Coles County in the
years since it was settled, but none so fierce as the one recorded are mentioned
in its annals.
We must not omit a mention of the part the city took in the last war. Mat-
toon and its surrounding populace were largely in fixvor of a subjugation of that
part of the Union favoring its dismemberment, and many of her bravest citizens
left home and dear ones to protect a nation's honor, and save the flag all loved
so well. The war of the rebellion opened in 1861. The first company to
respond to the call for troops from this part of Coles County left Mattoon on
April 15, 1861, for Springfield, where they were to be mustered into service
and to be attached to their regiment. Before their departure, they were served
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 36 o
with a sumptuous dinner at the Pennsylvania House by Mr. McKee, the pni-
prietor, and were presented with a flag by the ladies of Mattoon, and each officer
Avith a bible and each private with a testament by the Masonic orders in town.
The committee of ladies who presented the flag was composed of the following
persons : Misses Kate McMunn, Mollie Tobey, Helen Messer, Sarah Aldrich
and Mrs. Maggie Duncan and Mrs. McKee. Mrs. L. Villie Malone made the
presentation speech to the boys, who responded through Lieut. Edward True,
as Capt. James Monroe was then in Springfield.
Capt. Monroe, while at Camp Yates, on April 25, was presented by his
friends, through C. Knight, with a fine sword.
" On Tuesday, May 14," says the Journal of that year, " a regiment was
organized and sworn in by Col. Grant, a camp established and named Camp
Grant." No allusion to the famous man who afterward led the armies of the
Union is made. His prowess had not yet developed.
The regiment remained here, drilling for some time, but as soon as it was
fully ready it was sent to Springfield and from there to the service.
While the regiment was encamped near Mattoon, the town was generally
rather lively. Soldiers, out on a short pass, not uncommonly got rather too>
much whisky in them, and, in that condition, were not always what they should
be. Civilians known to be favorable to the Southern States were not unfre-
quently compelled to subscribe to oaths or other declarations, not at all in con-
formity with their sentiments. No riots occurred in Mattoon, as in Charleston,
or, at least, none worthy of record, and, as the veil of peace is now drawn over
all these scenes, we do not care to lift it, but think that they, as well as several
tragedies occurring in Coles County, are better forgotten.
We will now retrace our steps somewhat, and, in a measure, note some-
thing of the municipal life of Mattoon. The city was incorporated under the
general law of the State, in June, 1857, when 65 votes were cast in its favor,
and 25 against. It continued under that organization, states our authority —
an advertising sheet issued by Jerry Toles, an insurance and real estate agent.
May 1, 1866 — until 1859, when a city charter was obtained from the Legis-
lature, which, as amended, was in force when the aforesaid sheet was published.
From an examination of the newspapers of 1860 and 1861, we learn that
an election was held in Mattoon on Monday, April 1, 1861, under the provis-
ions granted in the new charter during the winter previous. From the
provisions of the charter, we learn that the word " Town " shall be changed to
" City," and " Trustees " to " Councilmen." Evidently the advertising sheet
of Mr. Toles is a little premature in its statements. As he issued his sheet for
advertising purposes, it is natural to suppose he desired to clothe Mattoon with
the title of a city as early as possible. The town charter was liberally
amended in 1859, but no city created, as is shown in the charter quoted.
This charter, in its second article, provided that " members of the City Council
shall have had six months' residence, be a hona-jide freeholder at the time of
364 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
his election, and shall have paid a corporation tax in said city during the pre-
ceding year. Whenever he ceases to be a freeholder in said city, his oflfice
becomes vacant.
The election was ordered to be held annually thereafter, on the first Monday
in April, when a President, six members of a City Council, City Clerk, Treas-
urer and Street Supervisor should be elected.
All persons were entitled, by the charter, to vote for State officers who
" have paid a corporation tax to the city during the year immediately pre-
ceding the election, and have resided in the corporation ninety days previous to
the election, were entitled to vote for city officers.'"
The Police Justice and Constables were each to be elected for four years.
The tax and labor collected from persons on the west side of the Illinois
Central Railroad was to be distributed there, while that on the east side
was to be distributed there. The Gazette, in its first issue after the elec-
tion, gives the following account of it : " Below we give the result of
the municipal election on last Monday. We did have some conscientious
scruples as to publishing the particulars of the bungling affair, but, since we
heard of the double election which our Paris neighbors held on the same day,
Ave have concluded that the Parisians can't ' poke fun at us ' over our blunders,
and, consequently, we may as well publish."
The new city charter as amended — declaring who were and who were not legal
voters, which clause did put a flea in somebody's ear — very mysteriously got lost
while in the President's keeping, just at the time when the first election under it
was to be held, and as it was the only legally attested copy of the charter in the
possession of the Board, as a matter of course the opponents of the new fran-
chise took the opportunity to annul the election. After sweating and quarrel-
ing on the morning of the election till nearly 11 o'clock, the Board having
declared the election postponed, the '' sovereign " people concluded to have an
election of their own. An election was therefore immediately called, clerks and
judges of election duly appointed, and the voting began. The voting was,
of course, done indiscriminately as far as having paid taxes was concerned.
The following is the result :
For Police Justice, James T. Smith ; Police Constable, James L. Taylor ;
President, James Monroe. City Council — T. C. Patrick, Samuel Smith, D.
M. Turney, L. Chapin, D. C. Higginson and C. A. Powell. Clerk, B. N.
Skelton ; Treasurer, A. Hasbrouck ; vStreet Supervisor, B. F. Keely.
The vote for and against license was small. For license, 80 ; against
license, 77.
Mattoon remained Under this form of government, with various alterations
made as the city grew, until the last week of February, 1879, when at an
election the charter was so changed that the city passed under the general in-
corporation law of the State, and under that law is now governed. The prin-
cipal changes relate to the election of officers, many of which are now ap-
HISTORY OP COLES COUNTY. 367
pointed, and to the redivision of the city into wards. This latter move is now
agitated, but it is not likely to be adopted for some time. The governing power
still rests in the Council, and in place of the people electing several subordinate
officers, that body appoints them.
Thus far in this narrative, we have omitted any mention, save incidents, of
mills, manufactories or the general business of the city, as well as its churches,
schools, newspapers and societies, leaving them for separate articles. In this
way more complete, and, at the same time, more condensed, descriptions can be
given, and also in a better and more explicit manner. They show much of the
history of the city, but are not given with that view being intended for the ob-
jects they treat.
We shall, therefore, leave the narrative of the city and devote the remainder
of this history to the subjects we have mentioned.
ELEVATORS, MILLS, MANUFACTORIES, ETC.
John Cunningham's elevator, built in the spring of 1855, before the sale of
lots, was the pioneer of such enterprises in Mattoon. It was, as time event-
ually proved, too far from the natural center of town, the railroad crossing, and
was finally abandoned. Four or five years after, Mr. Cunningham built a sub-
stantial brick warehouse north of the railroad crossing, on the west side of the
Central track, and just south of where Moneypenny's mill now stands. This
was quite a firm building, and was one of the best to follow in chronological
order the Essex House. It stood till Sunday 'night, March 19, 1865, when it
was destroyed by fire. It appears to have been the principal elevator in town
until it was destroyed.
The elevator of Jennings & Co., still standing, comes next in the annals of
the town. It was built about the close of the war by the present proprietors,
who are the oldest grain merchants in Mattoon. One of them and Mr. H. M.
Tremble, built a small warehouse where the express office now stands — the
second enterprise of the kind in town. It was a small building, and was used
as such for a few years and then removed. South of it stood the old pork-
house of O'Connell & Co., brought from near Cincinnati, the pioneer enter-
prise of that kind in the city. It was burned after a few years of service.
!N^ear it was the large well over which the city and Central Railroad had such
a vexatious lawsuit. The controversy over the well was finally settled, and it is
not at present regularly used.
Just before Mr. Cunningham built his brick elevator, Luther Miller moved
an old porkhouse from Terre Haute, Ind., and set it up north of the proposed
site of Mr. Cunningham's elevator. About 1861, the porkhouse came into the
hands of Hudnot & Co., who remodeled it, and opened a hominy-mill in the
building. This they operated with varying success until 1864, when the
building came into the control of Cox & Miller, who again changed its interior
and opened a plow-factory in it. This was conducted for two or three years,
368 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
when Capt. Hinkle obtained possession of the building, and opened a corn-
meal mill in it. This enterprise ho continued two years, when he I'etired, and
the present parties obtained control. Mr. Moneypenny now operates the
meal- mill and has a very fair trade.
The Pacific Mill, noted in the papers as the pioneer mill of Mattoon, is in
the southwest part of town, on the St. Louis Railroad. It was built in 1862,
by Charles Jones, who operated it four years. It remained idle then for more
than a year, when it was purchased by Ira and D. D. James, who re-opened it
and operated it until the summer of 1878, when, the business not proving
profitable, they discontinued it. The mill is now idle, but yet in the hands
of the Messrs. James.
Cox's Mill, a little west of Money penny's mill, is at present unoccupied.
It was built by Steadman & Demuth, in 1869 or 1870, who operated it two or
three years, when it came into the possession of Hiram Cox, the present owner.
James' Elevator was built in 1868, by Ira and D. D. James, who have been
more or less connected in the grain trade in Mattoon many years. They have
controlled their own elevator until their failure in 1874, when it and the Pacific-
Mill, operated by them since 1866, went into possession of Greer & Co., for
whom they now operate the elevator.
The City Mill — sometimes called Union Mill — was built in 1862 and 1863.
by T. C. Alexander & Co., at an expense of $12,000. They operated it
until 1864, when Col. J. Richmond purchased one-half interest in it, which
he sold, in 1867, to Mr. Curtis." Under his control, it was run till February.
1875, when Col. Richmond and J. H. Clark bought the mill. In the fall. Col.
Richmond purchased the entire concern and has been operating it since. It is
the principal flouring-mill in the ,city, and does the majority of grinding for
the country about Mattoon.
It might be well before leaving this subject to notice a few of the elevators
and mills that have been destroyed by fire. Mr. Cunningham's elevator has
already been noticed. A large elevator was' built just north of the Essex House
by Richai'ds & Co., about 1860. It stood only a few years, when it was entirely
consumed by the relentless element. It was at once rebuilt by the same firm,
who sold it to Day, Sprague & Co., who did business there till about 1873, when
the same calamity befell it. No attempt was made to rebuild the third time.
About the same year it burned, the Watkins Mill was erected, just west of
the foundry, b^i^ James Watkins. After running it about two years, the mill
caught fire, and, in spite of its unusual facilities for extinguishing fives, it suf-
fered the fate of some of its fellows.
These mills are the principal ones erected in the city. A few others have
been built, but, proving unprofitable, were in a few years converted to other
uses.
The first machine-shop or foundry was built by James Wolfe, in 1863 or
1864. He kept it about three years, and sold to Charles Pomeroy, who con-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 369
tinued it till the Lenox Foundry was built, in 1872, when he moved it away.
This latter foundry was built by William Lenox, the present proprietor, the
year referred to. It is the only enterprise of the kind in town, and has a very
fair custom.
The largest machine-shops in Mattoon are those operated by the Indianapolis
& St. Louis Railway. They were built here in 1870, and were brought to
Mattoon on a guarantee of that city of a bonus of $60,000 in bonds. The
vote on this question was held on April 4, 1870, and was decided by 517 votes
in favor of the appropriation to 10 against it. The bonds are payable in three
equal installments, one-third in ten years from the date of issue ; one-third in
fifteen years, and one-third in twenty years. The shops were removed from Litch-
field soon after the bonds were guaranteed, and have since been operating.
They are in the northeast part of the city, on ground donated them, occupying
several acres.
From a statement of the Master Mechanic regarding their capacity and
operations, the following items are taken :
The machine-shops are 110x204 feet, with eight repair-pits. The jjower-
room, 40x50 feet, adjoins this building. The store-room is also adjoining, and
is 40x60 feet in size. The car-shops are 85x204 feet in size, with six repair-
tracks, and, with the machine-shop, get their power from an 80-horse power
engine. The blacksmith-shop is 50x150 feet, has sixteen fires and is furnished
with one 1,500-pound steam hammer. The boiler-shop is 50x80 feet, and has
three repair-tracks. The paint-shop is 44x228 feet, and has two repair-tracks.
There are twenty-one stalls in the roundhouse. It is furnished with one of
Greenleaf's Machine Works turn-tables. The transfer-table is 27x180 feet,
and connects with the tracks leading into the different shops. The tank and oil
room is 40x40 feet, has four water-tubs, with a capacity of 60,000 gallons eacli,
filled from a reservoir one-half mile south of the works. The buildings are all
of brick, with slate roofs, save the paint-shop, which is of frame.
All are heated by steam save the paint and blacksmith shops. The shops
in their arrangement are unsurpassed in the West, and turn out nothing but the
best of work. Over two hundred men are employed here, in addition to nearly
one-half that number employed in the repair-shops at Terre Haute and East
St. Louis. The monthly pay-roll at Mattoon is about $23,000, the material
used each month costing about one-half that sum. The money distributed at
these shops is in a measure nearly all spent in the city. Could other factories
be induced to come here, and by their work aid in affording employment and
business, Mattoon would be greatly benefited by it.
A few other factories have been in existence here. We refer more particu-
larly to the woolen-factory, operated from the close of the war until 1868 or
1869, and which, for awhile, had a good trade. The brick building is now idle.
It certainly ought not to be so. If not wanted for the purpose for which it
was built, other use might be made of it and the property made to pay some
370 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
revenue. When people learn that small things, closely attended, are profitable,
the large farms about Mattoon will disappear, more attention will be given to
details, and tlie remedy for hard times will come of its own accord.
The other and remaining industries of Mattoon are various shops of all
kinds found in all towns. To describe them is unnecessary here. They came
with the first house in the place and will remain while it lasts.
THE BANKS.
The first bank in Mattoon was established in 1858 or 1859 by James T. Cun-
ningham, John Cunningham and Thomas A. Marshall, and 0. B. Ficklin, of
Charleston. It was founded, under the existing laws of that day, as a private
bank, did not issue notes, and confined its business mainlv to loaning money-
It occupied a room in a frame building, where Kahn's clothing store is now
situated. It continued until the financial depression occasioned by the failure
of so many State banks a year or two after it was started, and, owing to this
suspension, was obliged to close its business. In the fall of 1862, Pilkington &
Green opened a bank in the building vacated by the former bank, using their
safe and fixtures. This they continued until January 1, 1864, when the firm
was changed to Pilkington & Co., the members of the firm being Mr.
Pilkington. C. G. Townsend and W. B. Dunlap. The bank was removed two or
three doors west of its former location, and under the new management con-
tinued till May 1, 1865. The national banking system had now been devised,
and it was decided to organize a national bank. A number of wealthy gentle-
men met, subscribed the necessary funds, purchased the business, fixtures, etc.,
of Pilkington & Co., and as soon as the arrangements were perfected,
opened the First National Bank. It was opened on the above date — May 1 —
with a capital of $60,000, with the privilege of increasing to $200,000. That
fall, their present building was completed, vaults were put in and a time-lock
placed on the safe. The Directors were C. M. Dole, William Miller, Samuel
Smith, J. C. Dole, I. R. Herkimer, Hiram Cox, Alcaizo Eaton, L. Chapin and
S. W. True. Mr. C. M. Dole was chosen President ; Mr. True, Cashier, and
Mr. Dunlap, Teller. Mr. True resigned the cashiership early in January,
1879, and Mr. Dunlap was elected to the vacancy. He remained in this posi-
tion until January 1, 1874. When the Mattoon National Bank was organized
in July, he was elected President. He resigned the Cashier's place to engage
in the real estate and loan business, as he desired a more active, outdoor busi-
ness. He was only nominally Pi-esident of the Mattoon National Bank, draw-
ing no salai'v, and after a few years' work in the position, he sold his stock in
this bank, and went entirely out of the business. When he left the First
National Bank, Mr. C. G. Weymouth was elected to the Cashier's office, hav-
ing been promoted to that position from the Teller's place. No change was
made in the bank's otficials until the spring of 1878, when Mr. Dunlap was
again elected to the Cashier's place, which he still holds. Mr. J. E. Steele is
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 371
Teller. Mr. Dunlap was elected President of the bank, but declined, and
Mark Kahn was chosen. He held the place until January, 1879, when he
resigned, and William B. Warren, of Terre Haute, was elected.
The capital stock was reduced to $50,000 not long since, that amount
being abundant for all purposes; all doubtful paper was thrown out and
properly charged, and now the bank is in an excellent condition, with a large
surplus.
The next bank established in town was by Hinkle & Champion and Mr. M.
B. Abell. It began business May 1, 1866, under the name of the Merchants'
and Farmers' Bank, in a room now occupied by Craig & Craig as a law office.
It continued business till a few years ago, when it failed, and closed. Mr.
Dunlap, as Receiver, wound up its aflFairs.
The last bank, the Mattoon National, was organized July 1, 1874, with the
following officers : W. B. Dunlap, President, and James H. Clark, Cashier.
The Directors were E. B. McClure, J. Richmond, John Rapp, Moses Kahn,
G. T. Kilner, M. Walsh, T. C. Patrick, Joseph H. Clark and W. B. Dunlap.
Two of the Directors afterward sold their stock— W. B. Dunlap and M.
Walsh, and two, Moses Kahn and John Rapp, died. The stockholders met
and elected S. B. Gray, J. F. Drish, S. Isaac and A. J. Sanborn in their
places. W. B. Dunlap sold his stock in November, 1877, and retired from the
Presidency. The Directors elected Joseph H. Clark to the vacancy, elected E.
B. McClure Vice President, and chose W. A. Steele as Cashier and George
Robinson, Teller. These officers are yet in the bank. It has' an abundant
capital, a large surplus, and is doing a good business. When the Merchants'
and Farmers' Bank suspended, this bank lost some money through the failure
of some of its borrowers, who were obliged to suspend owing to the failure of
that bank. These losses and all doubtful paper have been charged up, and
now only the best of paper is held. This bank and the First National are the
only two in town, and are all its trade will justify. Both are well backed, and
are careful to conduct only a legitimate banking business.
An examination of the amount of business performed at the various railway
offices in Mattoon shows a good average with all towns in Central Illinois. Up
to the war, the business of the town was all the time on the increase. For the
first years of that conflict it fell off, owing to many men being taken from various
pursuits of life to enter the array. As the war progressed, business again
.revived, and building, which had in a measure ceased, was renewed with great
vigor. When the war closed, business of every kind experienced a forward move
seldom equaled. It was in a measure unhealthy and too rapid for permanent
benefit. For awhile after the war closed, buildings went up in Mattoon — this
time of a substantial character — with something like the days of its earliest exist-
ence. When the re-action came, Mattoon experienced it keenly. From the
books of the two railways of Mattoon, the trade of the town, we take the following
table of the shipments from October 1, 1866, to October 1, 1867, as compiled
372 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
from reports published in the Journal of February 1, 1868. The agent of the
Tnilianapolis & St. Louis Roads reported :
479
N u mber of horses
•244
Nunibei- of mules ■
Number of sheep Y*^^
Number of hogs L),800
Number of cattle 3,440
Bushels potatoes 18,000
Bushels wheat 2o,438
p . , ^,.„ 164,180
Bushels corn '
V, X ^ ,. -21,800
Bushels oats '
Bushels barley '^'J'^*^
Bushels rye "'^'^
Tons of hay '^^'^
Barrels of hominy ■±,oo-y
Barrels meal '^''"^"^^
Barrels flour *^^
Barrels tallow
■'10
Barrels vinegar
Bundles of pelts
Bundles green hides
Bundles dry hides _ " „
Pounds of wool • ^ '^••*'*"
Pounds miscellaneous 17,100,453
The agent of the Illinois Central reported :
Number of horses
Number mules
Number cattle '''-"^^
fc) ft t' 7
Number hogs , "'.
Number sheep
Bushels of corn 324,o01
Bushels wheat '''^■^'*
Bushels oats 29,518
Bushels barley ^^'^^"^
Barrels of hominy '
Barrels meal ^'^'^^
Barrels flour
474
Barrels vinegar
Car loads of hay '
Car loads of poultry
Bushels of potatoes l-2,y82
Pounds miscellaneous 2,551,805
The same number of the Journal says that there are in number the follow-
ing business houses :
Hotels J*
Banks "
Bookstores
4
Warehouses
Planing-mills
Woolen-mills
Flouring-mills "
Vinegar- woi-ks
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 373
Hominy-mills •^
Dry goods stores 1"
Drug stoi-es "
Clothing stores ■*
Furnishing stores '■
Furniture stores ''
Hardware stores '^
Leather store ^
Stove stores ^
Music store ^
Groceries ^'*
Agricultural stores ^
Wagon-shops "^
Plow-shops ^
Blacksmith-shops "
Carpenter-shops *
Harness-makers ^
Coal offices "
Saloons ^"
Restaurants • "
Bakeries '^
Shoe stores ^
Lumber-yards '^
Marble-shops ■'
Art galleries '
Livery -stables * .
Express offices ^
Jewelry stores ■'
Brewery '■
Tailors : ^
Milliners *'
Draymen -'*
Dentists '
Lavyyers "
Physicians ^-'
The editor states that much building is going on ; that the hotel — Dole
House — is contemplated ; also, two churches, and that the prospects are favora-
ble for a large city — something every hamlet in the West confidently expects,
and cannot understand why outsiders do not see such a result is inevitable.
The element of hope enters largely into American character, and is nowhere
more strikingly exhibited than in the average editor's opinion of his own
town.
The Journal, further on in this article, gives a valuable table of heights of
towns in Central Illinois. It is worth reproducing, and we give it entire :
'• Mattoon is 740 feet above the level of the sea, 158 feet above Chicago
and the lake, and 458 feet above the rivers at Cairo. We are just one foot above
Champaign, 66 feet above Pana, 176 above Decatur, 19 above Bloomington and
142 above ^Galena. There is only one point between Chicago and Cairo higher
than Mattoon, viz., Monee, about thirty-five miles south of Chicago, which is
54 feet higher than our city, being 794 feet above tide water. There is
374 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
not a point on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Road so high as our city by
many feet.'"
From the foregoing statement, it will be observed that Mattoon is, in a measure,
a '-city set on a hill." If she follows the injunction of Holy Writ, she will
doubtless let her light shine. This can be done in more ways than one, not
only in a Scriptural sense, but in a material one, by showing an activity in
business and solidity of purpose that will count in the future.
t THE POST OFFICE.
To show the life of the Mattoon post office, we subjoin^the following state-
njents :
The second Postmaster was H. L. Taylor, the next Joseph Brady, who-
was followed by R. W. Houghton, M. W. Wilcox and J. H. Clark, the present
occupant. He was appointed May 5, 1869, and is now serving his third term.
When Mr. True was Postmaster, there were four daily mails, now there are ten.
There are about 700 letters daily received, in addition to the papers, periodicals
and miscellaneous packages.
The sale of stamps for the year 1878 amounted to $5,726.91. The amount
of money-orders issued for the week ending February 8, 1879, was $546.08.
Those paid amounted to |2,034.28. As many more orders are paid than issued,
Mr. Clark holds a balance of $2,000 in the New York office to draw against to
make up the deficiencies. Some idea of the business of the office can be
obtained by computing, from the amounts given, the business for a year.
When we remember the few mistakes occurring, we can truly marvel at the
excellency of the post office management. There are 1,100 open boxes and
211 lock-boxes. ' The income from the boxes is about $800 per year.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
It has been already noticed in these pages that a church was built in Mattoon
the second summer of its existence. That pioneer church is yet standing, and
is still used for the purpose for which it was erected.
It was built by the Baptists — "• Old Line," as they are commonly termed here
— in the summer of 1856. After their disbanding it was sold to the United
Brethren, when they organized a congregation in town (having been in the
country previously), and was used by them until their disorganization. Then it
went into the hand^ of Michael Tobey and J. S. Mitchell, as Trustees, by whom
it is yet held. The Calvary Baptists had made, during this time, several unsuc-
cessful effijrts to organize a congregation, but not until January, 1876, were they
able to effect a permanent union. Early in that year, they met in Mr. U. T. S.
Rice's office, and by him were organized as a congregation. There were but
seven members. These were Mr. and Mrs. Rice, Jonathan A. Tuffts, wife and
daughter, S. K. Sanders and George Clark and wife. Soon after, they were
joined by Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Sinsebaugh.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 375
For three years, they met for divine services in a hall over Hasbrouck's hard-
ware store, Mr. Rice being leader a good part of the time. Not long since, they
leased the old church built in 1856, which they now occupy. Their member-
ship has nearly quadrupled since the organization. Their present Pastor
is Rev. W. S. Dodge.
The First Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest congregation of this
denomination in the city, was organized December 25, 1863, with twenty-eight
members, prominent among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Roach, Mr. and Mrs.
Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Hays, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb, H.
J. Streator and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Frazer.
The organization was eflFected in .the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
where they continued to meet for nearly a year. They then leased the old
church, and used it one year ; then Cartmell's Hall ; then to a hall over South's
store ; then to Union Hall, in which place the first steps were taken for
the formation of the present Calvary Baptist Church by several of the members
withdrawing for that purpose.
In 1870, the congregation built their present house of worship, and have
been holding regular services therein since. From the date of the establishment
of this church to the present time, more than three hundred members have been
connected with it. It is the nucleus around which have grown the churches at
Willow Creek, ^tna, Kickapoo, and one other congregation.
Rev. J. W. Riley, who was present at the Recognition Council, January
30, 1864, has been the Pastor, with the exception of six years, when he was at
other places. During this interval, the pulpit was filled with supplies nearly
every Sabbath, and services regularly sustained.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Chureh was organized in the summer of 1857.
In the spring of that year, Rev. Joel Knight, a minister in this denomination,
began preaching in Mattoon, one Sabbath in each month, in the Baptist Church.
On the 23d of August, twenty-seven persons, professing adherence to the doctrines
of this Church, met and organized themselves into a congregation, and signed
articles of confederation. The following is the original roll of membership:
Alexander Montgomery, H. Clay Warthon, James S. Cunningham, Ed^v.
W. Cartmell, Sarah A. Mount, M. Craig, R. D. Montgomery,* J. W. Rankin,
Washington Engle, Mrs. Lucinda Montgomery, Mrs. Sarah Montgomery, Mrs.
Eliza Craig, Edw. Hall, W. H. K. Pile,- Mrs. N. I. Pile,* Mrs. Scintha
Mount, John J. Walkup, Mrs. Margaret A. Montgomery, Mrs. Mary E. Mont-
gomery, Jefferson M. Hall,* Mrs. Amanda J. Hall,* James Kelley,* Mrs.
Mercy Kelley, Rev. Peter Duncan, Mrs. Manning Duncan and Mrs. Nancy E.
Morrison. Of these, but six are now connected with the congregation.
Thirteen have removed, and eight have died.
On the 27th, the congregation met and elected Alexander Montgomery, H.
Clay Warthon and Edw. Hall, Elders, and W. H. K. Pile, Clerk.
* still a member.
576 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
At the fall session of this Presbytery, the congregation was taken under its
care, and Rev. Joel Knight employed to preach one-fourth of his time, and, for
two years,' services were held, most of the time, in Cartmell Hall.
On February 27, 1858, James T. Cunningham, H. Clay Warthon and W.
H. K. Pile, were chosen Trustees, and during the following spring. Rev.
George 0. Bannon, from Kentucky, preached for the congregation. Rev.
Peter Duncan was also employed, and while here, in 1860, his death occurred.
On November 1, 1859, Rev. J. W. Wood began his work in this church,
preaching each alternate Sabbath. He remained one year, and was succeeded
by Rev. James Ashmore, who filled the pulpit until the fall of 1861.
In the spring of that year, preparations were made to build a house of
worship, and in June, the corner-stone was laid. The address on this occasion
was delivered by Rev. J. W. Wood, assisted in the ceremony by the two minis-
ters who had succeeded him here. The church was not completed, owing to the
breaking-out of the war, and other matters, until 1865. It was dedicated in
1867, by J. B. Logan, D. D.
In the summer of 1862, Rev. S. R. Roseboro was called, remaining eight
months. The records of the congregation do not show any progress from this
time until the close of the war (1865), nor the names of the ministers. In
March of this latter year. Rev. Mr. Wood was again called, and remained until
March, 1866. In June, 1857, Rev. T. K. Hodges began preaching, remain-
ing one year. In December, 1868, Rev. W. S. Langdon came. On the 12th
day of October, 1869, he died, in his room in the basement of the church. He
was taken to St. Louis, Mo., for interment. Rev. E. J. Gillespie was called to
the vacancy, and remained two years. He was followed by R. W. Hooker, who
stayed nine months. In April, 1875, Rev. A. B. McDaniel came. He remained
one year. In June, 1876, Rev. R. J. Beard was called. He remained two
years and three months. In November, 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. E. M.
Johnson, began his ministry.
From the time the congregation was organized until February 17, 1879,
there have been 348 members received. Of these, -35 have died, 168 have been
dismissed and gone, and 145 remain.
The church is a convenient brick structure, on East Broadway, and has
been in continual use ever since its erection.
The Christian Church was organized in March, 1859, with seventeen mem-
bers, of whom one only, Mr. Zack Robertson, is now connected here. The organi-
zation was effected by Elder John Mathes, of Bedford, Ind. Services were held
in halls and the members' houses, until 1860, when they erected their present
church. The growth of the congregation continued uninterrupted until 1870,
when between thirty and forty members, living principally on the West Side,
withdrew from the church and established a congregation there. They erected a
small frame church, and continued as a separate body until 1878, when they
re-united with the old church, from which time there has been one organization.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 377
The small house of worship on the West Side is now used as a mission
chapel.
Since the establishment of the Christian Church in Mattoon, fully five
hundred members have belonged to it. Many of them are now, however,
removed to other places, some are dead, and some fallen away. There are now
nearly two hundred members.
The principal Pastors have been Revs. Black, Frazier, Adams, Streater,
Lucas, Stewart, Roberts and Mason. The present minister is Rev. E. J. Hart.
The German Evangelical Association was organized in 1868, with seven
members, by Rev. Matthew Keiber. For the first three years, they met in a
hall in the west part of town, and were supplied by ministers from other parts
<^f the circuit. In 1870, they began the erection of their present house of
worship, which was completed and occupied the next year. It is a small frame
structure in the southwest part of Mattoon, convenient for the members.
The congregation has increased but little in its membership, the removals
and deaths equalizing the accessions. They are yet unable to support a regu-
lar ministry, and are supplied every other week by Rev. M. Kahl, the minister
in charge of this circuit.
The Unitarian Church was organized December 22, 1867. After holding
meeting in the members' houses and in halls, for a few years, the church dis-
banded and services were discontinued. In 1872, another efibrt was made and
a new organization effected, mainly through the eiforts of Rev. J. L. Douthit, of
Shelbyville, and a few of the old members who still adhered to the principles of
this denomination. They began the erection of a very neat brick church on West-
ern avenue, which structure they completed the next year. Their first regular
minister was Rev. George A. Dennison, who came in the spring of 1873, and re-
mained two years. Since his departure, they have been supplied occasionally only,
and have not maintained regular services. They are at present without a pastor,
but an effort is being made to revive the work here and build up the church.
The colored residents of Mattoon sustain two churches, the oldest of which is
the Methodist. This was organized in the spring of 1866, with about a dozen
members, by Rev. Smith Nichols, the present Pastor. That summer, a frame
building was purchased, remodeled, and made into a comfortable church, and is
yet used. The membership has more than doubled, and the prospects of this
congregation are good. Rev. Nichols remained with the church from 1866 to
1868. He was succeeded by Revs. Alexander, Knight, De Pugh, Hand and
J. T. Neace. He is now serving his second pastorate.
The Colored Baptist Church was organized in 1871 or 1872. It, not long
after, obtained a small frame building, which it has since used as a church. It
is in the western part of town, where most of the people dwell. Regular
services are now held, both colored churches supporting good Sunday schools.
The Church of the ImmaculateConception — the Catholic — stands in the north-
west part of Mattoon, and is the only one of that denomination in the. city. It
378 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
was organized soon after the building of the railroad began, and has since been
sustained. The membership is quite large, as it includes all baptized persons
in the Church, of whatever age. Following the policy of the Catholic Church
at large, this congregation established a parochial school soon after it was organ-
ized. Their present school-building, contiguous to the church, was erected in
1865. The school is under the charge of the Ursuline Sisters, and draws many
children from the public schools. This is clearly evidenced in the reports of
tlie Superintendent of the West Side schools.
The Presbi/terian Clmrch was organized on May 27, 1860, with twenty
members. They were Mrs. Mary E. Bridges, Mrs. Martha M. Bridges, Mrs.
Betty Johnson, AV. E. Smith, John A. Forline, David Forline, Mrs. Betty Dora,
Rae M. Bridges, Mrs. Rebecca Boyd, Miss Frances A. Boyd, Miss Orphio E.
Boyd, James Boyd, D. T. Mclntyre, Miss Cyntha Vanzant, ilobert Campbell,
Mrs. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Margaret Keely, Mrs. Martha A. Smith, Mrs.
Martha J. Vanzant and Mrs. Mary E. Boyd. The meeting to organize was
held in the old Methodist Church, in the northeast part of town. Rev. J.
W. Allison and Rev. = McFarland appear to have been the first preachers
here, both of whom, with Rev. Samuel Newell, of Paris, and Rev. R. Mitchell,
of Charleston, assisted at the organization of the congregation. Afterward,
Dr. A. Hamilton was elected Pastor, and the erection of a church determined.
Prior to the organization of this Church, the New-School Presbyterians had
effected an organization, and were using halls, or churches of other denomina-
tions in which to hold their meetings. The Old-School Presbyterians com-
pleted their house of worship in 1864, dedicating it Sabbath, July 31. The
dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Hamilton, the Pastor. In the after-
noon. Rev. Venable preached, and in the evening, Rev. Hendricks.
The congregation grew well during Dr. A. Hamilton's pastorate, extending till
January, 1866, when, owing to failing health, he resigned. The pulpit was
filled by supplies till September, 1870, when Rev. W. B. Noble was called as
Pastor. He remained till April, 1872, when he resigned, and was succeeded,
the following January, by Rev. Henry W. Woods, who was installed May 6,
1873. He occupied the pulpit till the spring of 1875, when he was succeeded
by the present Pastor, Rev. James L. McNair. A short time after the erection of
the church, in 1864, the New-School Presbyterians built a house of worship on the
East Side — the Old-School being in the West — and continued worshiping there.
In the autumn of 1871, these two branches of the church were united — hav-
ing been separate over forty years — and one congregation in Mattoon was the
result. At first, both houses of worship were used, but, a vote being taken, it
was decided to use only the West Side house, and, soon after, the East Side
church was sold to the Congregationalists, who now use it. The West Side house
of worship was used without any alteration until two or three years ago, when
owing to the increased growth of the congregation, an addition was built to the
east end, and the seating capacity very much enlarged.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 379
The Co7igregationalist Church is the outgrowth of the union of the Old and
New-School Presbyterians, in 1871. Many members in the New-School branch
favoring the Congregational mode of woi'ship and discipline, organized a church of
that body, and raised some $800 to aid in the attempt. The building erected by
the New School Presbyterians was soon after purchased, and has since been
used. The Council of the Congregational Church met on March 10, 1872, and
regularly constituted the Church. On the 1st of the following January, Rev.
N. J. Morrison, then just released from the Presidency of Olivet College, Mich-
igan, was called to the pastorate of the Church. He remained only six months,
resigning to accept the Presidency of Drury College, Springfield, Mo. In
October, 1873, Rev. A. L. Loomis was called to the pulpit. He remained
until May, 1876. During his residence, a revival occurred, greatly increasing
the membership. The next Pastor was Rev. P. P. Warner, who came in Jan-
uary, 1877, and remained until August 15, 1878, when he resigned. He is now
publishing a paper in Aledo, 111. He was succeeded by the present Pastor,
Rev. A. M. Thorne, in October.
The Methodist Epucopal Church was organized in 1857 with about twelve
members. Thev met at first in dwellino;s and halls until about 1800, when
they erected a very substantial house of worship in the northeast part of the
city. It was then expected the center of the town would be here ; but future
revelations dispelled this idea, and in 1870, it was determined to erect a larger
liouse of worship and in a more convenient place. The present church was the
result. It cost about $12,000, and is a very neat building. The congrega-
tion is now quite large, and sustains an excellent Sunday school.
In addition to the churches enumerated, others, now abandoned, have ex-
isted. Some few societies exist, but of so passive a nature, they are omitted.
THE SCHOOLS.
The schools of Mattoon form a chapter in its history equal in its impor-
tance to any part or parcel of the city. Cotemporary with the start of the
town, a school was provided, and, before the cold of winter came in l^he year
185'), a small frame schoolhouse was built in the eastern part of town on
Broadway. The efforts of the principal proprietors of the infantile village
were strenuous, indeed, to secure the center of town there, and built the school-
house where the greatest part of the population was expected to be. A school
was taught in this small frame, hardly as large as an ordinary country school-
house of to-day, during the winter of 1855-56, and so great was the influx of
population that the little room was crowded to its utmost. School was taught
here but one term, as far as we have been able to find out. The room was too
small, and was hardly used longer. The school was, of course, a subscription
school. If any public money was obtained it was only a small amount, for the
idea of supporting schools in this part of Illinois entirely by taxation, was not
yet well entertained. The next year, another similar school was "kept," as
380 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
we are told in an unoccupied room, and, the following winter, over True's store
and in some unfurnished house. The recollection of old persons is not very
good on this point ; they were more interested in '' corner lots," than to notice
very closely just where the schools were (for one room could not contain the
pupils, and any one could teach who could get a room and some pupils). The
next year — summer of 1857 — a very comfortable brick structure was built in
the northeast part of town, not far from where the first Methodist Church stood.
This second schoolhouse was a decided improvement. It would seat many
more pupils than its predecessor, and though " private " schools began to
flourish, it held its way. It began to receive considerable aid, enough at least
to conduct it through the winter term, from taxation, steadily growing in favor.
The private schools, as they were termed, came rapidly into use in the early
history of Mattoon, and continued with more or less force until a few years
ago. The most noticeable of any of these was started on quite an extensive
plan, even going so far as to obtain a charter. We refer to the Male and Female
Academy. It was in truth two institutions, known more extensively as Mat-
toon Female Academy and Mattoon College. The former was intended for
young ladies, the latter for young gentlemen. Referring to the papers for the
period of their commencement, we find they were chartered February 21,
1863. On March 24, 1864, the Trustees met and organized, elected a President
and chose teachers. The Mattoon College does not seem to have been put in
very extensive working order, and in a short time appears to drop out of notice.
The great obstacle in the way of both these institutions was a lack o*f means.
Neither had any money to work on, and the town was too young and too poor
to endow them. They began in 1858 or 1859, and worked some time before
receiving their charters. In December, 1861, Prof. W. W. Gill resigned the
care of the seminary, which had at all times the largest patronage, and was
succeeded by Rev. D. F. McFarland, who leased the Harris Building and
opened school on the second day of the month his predecessor left. He con-
ducted it some time with reasonable success, but, failing to make it profitable,
left. It was afterward uiider the care of Mrs. C. E. Gill, who continued it
some time. Owing to an inability to support the school, and the erection of
new and better ward schools, with their increased facilities for education, their
free tuition and freedom to all, the academy and all private schools were gradu-
ally abandoned, and now none are sustained.
The public school continued along in the brick building referred to, with
little change, save the gradually improved methods of education, and the division
of the school into two or more grades, as circumstances allowed, until a new
house was erected on the West Side, about 1861 or 1862. This divided the
schools and assisted greatly in properly classifying them. The building on the
West Side was erected by that ward and put under an entirely separate control.
The two schools were made independent of each other, and have continued so
to this day. The building on the West Side was an improvement on its prede-
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 381
cesser of the East Side. It was a ver;y commodious brick building, contained
four rooms, was supplied with a bell, improved seats, blackboards and all the
machinery of the modern schoolroom of the day. It occupied the entire block,
affording the children plenty of room in which to play. It was used without
alteration until the spring of 1871. By that time, it had become too small for
the increased demands of the growing city, and a new one was decided upon.
The membei-s of the Board of School Trustees that spring were B. C. Hinkle,
J. M. Riddle and J. M. Hall. Under direction of this Board, the present house
was erected. The old one was simply remodeled and enlarged, and fitted with
still more advanced furniture. It contains five rooms, and a commodious hall in
the third story. Here the high school receives instruction, and here are many
of the entertainments. When this building was erected, a small one-roomed
building was constructed a little west of it, for the use of the colored children ;
but finding it impracticable to educate them thus, and failing to provide them
equal advantages with the others, they were admitted to the graded school, and
the building erected for them moved to the school-yard and used for primary
scholars.
From the report of the Superintendent of this school, the following facts and
items are learned :
Number of persons under twenty-one years of age 1,041
Number of school age , 7*'6
Monthly enrollment for the year 3in
Average attendance for the year 256
The small enrollment is to be accounted for in part by the great number of
children attending the Catholic school.
The school is divided into four departments, viz, primary, intermediate,
grammar and high school. The primary department has three grades. In.
each of the other departments, the pupils are divided into three classes, desig-
nated as Class A, Class B and Class C. The teachers are : P. H. Deardoff,
Ph. M., Principal ; Miss Maggie Ewing, Assistant in the high school ; Miss
Nannie Myrick, intermediate ; Miss Jennie D. Riddle, third primary ; Miss
Minnie Jennings, second primary, and Miss Annie Riddle, first primary.
The brick building on the East Side continued in use until the erection of the
present one, in 1865. It became apparent, however, before that date that better
accommodations would have to be provided, as the house used was by far too
small, even when aided by one or two rented rooms. It was decided to borrow
110,000 on city bonds, and an election was ordered to be held October 26, 1864.
At that time, there were 421 children in the district of lawful school age. The
bonds were voted for by a majority of 80 votes, and soon after the site was
selected and work on the new building begun. It was completed in November,
1865, and opened for school on Monday morning, February 5, following. It
contains five rooms, and a large hall in the third story, similar to the one on the
West Side, and used for similar purposes.
382 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
The town continuing to grow, this building was found inadequate to supply
school room for the increasing school population of the East Side, and another
building was erected in the southeast part of town in 1877 and 1878. It con-
tains four rooms, and is under the care of the Superintendent at the other
building. From his last report, we gather the following statements :
Number of children under twenty-one years of age 1,427
Enrollment of school age 944
Average enrollment 658
Average attendajice 529
Ten teachers are employed, whose wages, including that of the Superin-
tendent and janitor, amount to $4,740, for eight months of school. The
teachers are: C. W. Jacobs, Principal; Miss Lizzie Dorland, high school;
Miss Carrie Riddle, Miss Eva Lowe and Miss Lillie Osborn, grammar school,
sixth, seventh and eighth grades; Miss Helen Patterson and Miss Lavina
Ewing, intermediate department, fourth and fifth grades ; Miss Mollie Phillips,
primary department, and Miss Julia Pulsifer, Miss Ida Woods and Miss Mary
Oushman, same department, in the first, second and third grades. Grouping
the school statistics, we have :
Number of children under twenty-one years 2,468
Enrollment for the year 1,710
Attendance for the year 785
Assuming the first number given to be one-third; the second, one-fourth,
and the third, one-eighth, we have a population of about six thousand in the
city.
'' THE PRESS.
On Saturday, June 7, 1856, Mr. R. W. Houghton issued the first number
of the Mattoon G-azette, the initial copy of newspapers in the city. It was a
seven-column, four-page paper, one of the original copies of which is now in
possession of Mr. Leonidas Chapin. a resident of the western part of town,
and who highly prizes this relic of early days. His regret now is that he did
not preserve the entire files of the paper.
Li glancing over this old copy, many interesting items are gleaned. In
his "salutatory," Mr. Houghton says:
" We design publishing a good family newspaper — one whose information can
be depended upon as reliable. In politics we are independent — committed to
no party."
After giving his reasons for this stand, he says: "There are many matters
of vital importance to our moral advancement, our educational system and the
agricultural interests of this mighty people which demand the attention of the
press, giving a broad field for operation outside the political arena."
He goes on to say that he will give particular attention to commercial and
agricultural reports, and adds, '"we have now launched our bark, weighed
anchor, and hope to accomplish the voyage, even though we have occasion-
ally to contend with tides and adverse winds."
HISTORY OF COLES COUUTY. 385
Speaking of Mattoon in an editorial, he notes its geographical position, its
railway facilities, its markets and the good country about it. He says the
town is a " stripling of less than a year's growth, and taking into consider-
ation the difficulties of procuring building material, and the unusual sickness
of the last season, its growth has been rapid. A great many buildings are
now in course of erection and many more are projected."
Commenting on the prospects of the village, the paper proceeds: "We
know of no place which ofi'ers greater inducements for the improvement of
capital than this. Houses of all kinds are in demand at the landlord's rates,
and everything else demands good prices. No branch of business seems to
lack customers. In fact, we have all the elements necessary for the building-
up of a good inland town, in conjunction with a firm determination on the
part of the inhabitants to make it thrive.
Farther on, he says :
" We have now eight or ten good stores, nearly all kinds of mechanics,
several warehouses, two good hotels, a printing office, and a population of from
four to five hundred."
Referring to railroads, the editor writes :
•' We understand that the Superintendent of the Illinois Central road has
decided on the construction of a Y and side-tracks, freight-house, etc., on the
east side of the road, north of the T. H. & A. road. The latter company, we
are informed, intend laying a side-track on the south side of the road, in the
east end of town. The tAvo companies, in conjunction, intend to build a
respectable passenger-depot on the opposite side of the track from the T. H. &;
A. freight-house. '
. . . ♦
He hopes that this will soon be done, as he intimates there is an urgent
necessity for it. The erection of the Essex House, the next year, probably
put an end to such intentions.
The editor quotes from the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel the nomination of
James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, as President, and Breckenridge, of Ken-
tucky, as Vice President, in the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati. He
also notices the election of Directors for the T. H. & A. Railroad, as reported
by the Paris Blade, and the robbery of the post office at Vincennes, Ind.,
quoted from the Gazette of that town. After giving a few other general
items, he proceeds to fill the balance of the second page with advertise-
ments.
A. Francis informs the citizens of Mattoon that " he is now opening at the
store opposite and nearest the depot, another choice stock of spring and summer
goods, of almost every kind and description, and that he will keep on hand con-
stantly the best brands of flour."
Norvell & Brother announce that they have just opened a " saddle and
harness shop, west of the Central Railroad, over the Crazette office," and that
their terras are " exclusively cash."
386 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
A. Engle announo€« the " Mattcx>n House now open, and that he is ready
to rei'eive the patronage of the public, and afford them a home, at reasonable
terms. '
Thomas McKee advertises that " the Pennsylvania House has recently
changeii hands, and has been very much enlarged and otherwise improved bv
painting and papering it throughout."
Mr W. H. K. Pile says that "the Kentucky House, at the comer of
Second and Broadway, will furnish supper, lodging and breakfast for §1, and
that he will give one meal for 35 cents."
H M. Tremble & Son '' announce to the public that they are receiving dry
goods of every description, hardware and cutlery, groceries, boots and shoes,
clothing, cordage, carpenters' tools, farming utensils, rich and fashionable bon-
nets : all of which we offer for sale cheap for cash, or in exchange for corn,
oats, wheat, rye, rags, butter, eggs, tallow, beeswax, and, in short, everything
in the produce line, at market prices."
S. Knight & Co. deal in lumber, shingles, lath, timber and dressed lumber.
Conley «k Hitehcoi'k have the largest advertisement of anv firm. Thev
report uew^ style prints, new style poplins, sugars and other groceries, summer
clothing, boots and shoes, and everything to be found in any other store. Thev
give market reports, from which we learn prices paid then for different articles
bought and sold. Wheat is reported from ^1 to ^1.50 per bushel ; corn, from
12| to 15 cents ; oats, 20 cents ; potatoes, ^1 and ^1.25: timothy-seed, §2.25:
eornmeal, 25 cents per 100 lbs.; butter, 12| ; eggs, 10 cents per dozen ; coffee is
14 cents p«r pound ; sugar, from 10 to 15 ; bacon is reported from 7 to 10 cents
per pound,^beef at 7 and 8 cents ; chickens are worth i$1.50 and 32 per dozen;
rye is worth 50 cents and 60 cents per bushel ; hay, §6 per ton ; whisky. 85
cents per gallon, brandy ^.50. w^ine $4 and gin $2.50, when bought by the
barrel.
This description includes almost all noticed in this first issue of the paper,
referring to Mattoon. The i-est of the paper is devoted entirely to foreign
matters — no local items noticed. Probably Mr. Houghton did not have time
to gather any. He appears to have all his paper but one page printed else-
where — probably in Terre Haute, as much of the advertising is from there, and
some of it is inserted twice. The paper is quite creditable for the start, and
we are sorry that no second copy was preserved so its advance could be
noticed.
The G<jzette was announced to appear every Saturday, and carefully fulfilled
its contracts. Mr. Houghton, who had been a printer in Terre Haute, and had
published a paper in Greenup until thfe county seat was removed, continued
with the Gazette until autumn, when he sold to Dumas J. Van Deren, and
returned to a farm near Greenup. He remained there and in the town till the
spring of 1857, when he moved again to Mattoon and purchased the Gazette of
Mr. Van Deren. He conducted the paper till the fall of 1859, when he sold it
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 387
to Mclntyre <fe Woods and removed to a farm near Majority Point. Shortly
afterward, Mr. Woods sold his interest to W. P. Harding, and the firm of
Harding k Mclntyre, who took charge of the G-azette. Mr. Houghton returned
the third time to Mattoon after raising one crop, and again secured an interest
in the (xazette. He subsecjuently enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-
third Illinois Volunteers, and lost his life in an engagement on the 18th Septem-
ber, 1863. When he went to the arrny, the paper continued under Mclntyre
& Harding's control, the latter gentleman as editor until February 1, 1861.
July 19, 1865, Mr. Mclntyre sold to J. 0. Harding, and the G-azette came
under the charge of Harding Brothers.
When the war broke out, J. 0. Harding enlisted first in the Sixteenth Indi-
ana, afterward in the Seventy-ninth Illinois. He was taken prisoner and
confined in Libby eighteen months. On his return from the war, he came
again into the Gazette office on July 19, I860, with his brother. The firm
of Harding Brothers managed the Gazette until June 20, 1866, when the
junior member sold his interest to Mr. C. B. Bostwick, and Harding & Bost-
wick conducted the paper until May 29, 1867. At this date, Mr. Harding sold
his interest to Mr. Bostwick, who managed the Gazette until July 10, 1867.
A radical change in the paper occurred at this date. The Democratic party
had for some time been desiring a paper, and when Mr. Bostwick sold, it was to
a committee of prominent citizens of that political party. They changed the
name to the Mattoon Democrat and its politics to their own. They employed
Charles W. Dunifer as editor, who remained but a few months, when he was suc-
ceeded by a Mr. Crouch, who remained in charge only two or three months.
The adventure not proving a success, the committee desired to sell. They
found a purchaser in the persons of Taylor k Bowen, who changed the name to
Mattoon Clarion. They, however, were not able to pay for it, and, soon after,
the establishment was sold at Sheriff's sale, and the materials moved to
Sullivan.
When Mr. Bostwick sold in 1867, he contracted to stay out of the printing
business five years, and, the time expired, he returned and concluded to
revive the old Gazette. He and George B. McDougall purchased a new outfit,
and, on the 16th of August, 1872, they issued the first number. They also
opened a job office in connection with their paper, and soon had a good business.
They continued together until January. 1874, when Mr. McDougall sold his
interest to Mr. Bostwick, who has since conducted the Gazette. It is a
large-sized, eight-paged paper, and has an excellent reputation and circulation.
The office is fitted with a good steam-power press, two job presses, power paper-
cutter, ruling machine, and all the material necessary for doing all ordinary
commercial book and blank Avork.
The Journal was established November 1, 1865, by W. 0. Ellis. He, in
his editorial " salutatory," defines his intended position ; refers to the fact of
the late war; to his position regarding it ; to the desire he entertains for peace ;
388 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
to the cause of education, which he hopes to see fostered in the town ; to the
growth of trade and the encouragement of manufactories, and to the general
advancement of the city wherein he has cast his lot.
The editor notices the fine weather of that fall : the discharge of the Thirty-
third Illinois, at Vicksburg; the granting of 8,000 pardons by the President,
and the fact of there being 20,000 still on file. Many other items of State
and national news are given ; a liberal patronage of advertising appears, and,
all in all. the paper evidently was issued after a careful canvass was made.
Some one gives a history of the inception of the Mattoon Business College
and Female Seminary, and, through successive numbers, concludes arguments
in favor of their firm establishment in the city.
The Journal starts out evidently well prepared for work, and shows a dis-
position to maintain and elevate its standard. Mr. Ellis continued as editor
and proprietor until June 23, 1866, when he sold an interest in the paper to
Capt. Thomas E. Woods. Two weeks before, the Journal was considerably
enlaro-ed and improved, showing the year's adventure had been successful.
Capt. Woods, in his " salutatof-y " to the readers of the Journal, says he is
here ao-ain among the people he had formerly known when he conducted the
Gazette, and later, when he had wielded the pen in the sanctum of the Charles-
ton Courier, before that journal, as he thinks, apostatized. He alludes to the
fact of his late connection with the war, fairly closed, and avers that, having
tried both the pen and the sword, though the former may be " mightier,
it is less swift."
The current news of the day are given ; a good local column is maintained,
while general ne>vs appears. Mr. Ellis remains with the paper, Capt. Woods
acting as editor.
The Journal was run under this arrangement until the fall of 1869, when
Capt. Woods purchased the entire interest, and assumed exclusive control. He
conducted the Journal alone until March 1, 1876, when he associated with him-
self his brother, Winfield Woods, and the paper was conducted by Woods
Brothers until January 1, 1879, when Capt. Woods received an appointment in
the Treasury Department, at Washington, and Avent there. He is still con-
nected with the paper, however, and furnishes much of its editorial matter.
On January 1, 1879, William F. Purtill, who has been connected with the
papers of Mattoon as a general printer and foreman for several years, and has
been for a lontr time with the Journal, obtained an interest, and now the paper
is conducted by Woods & Purtill. It began in 1874 to issue a daily, which it
maintains with commendable enterprise, and which is an important factor in
the life of Mattoon. It had been run as a tri-Aveekly two or three years prior
to the daily ; this was, however, abolished when the daily was founded, and the
weekly issue resumed.
The third paper in Mattoon, the Commercial, is the outgrowth of the Rad-
ical Republican, a paper started early in December, 1867, by Mr. Ebenezer
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 389
Noyes. When the Gazette was sold by Mr. Bostwick to the committee of
Democrats, Mr. Noyes determined to establish a strong Republican paper in its
stead, purchased materials and opened an office on the north side of Broadway,
west of the railroad, in the room now occupied by 'Squire Robb. He employed
Charles Robb as printer, and assumed the editorial charge himself. He made
the paper what its name implied, and was not at all afraid to freely express his
views. He was assisted by Mr. Chittenden in his editorial work, who had the
main control in the business office and as a gatherer of news. James Williams
was soon after also engaged in the printing department.
Mi*. Chittenden did not remain long in the office, and the entire editorial
and reportorial duties devolved upon Mr. Noyes, who took in his sons to aid
him. They continued the Radical Repuhlican until sometime in 1871, when
they sold the paper to Mr. A. Bookwalter, who changed the name to Commer-
cial. He continued it until the fall of 1872, when he suspended. He soon
after sold the office to Mr. R. Sumerlin & Sons, who moved it to its present
location. Their first paper appeared on October 8, 1872. Under their man-
agement, the paper was made the organ of the Democratic party, and was con-
tinued by them until August, 1876. Mr. Sumerlin sold the paper at this time
to a stock company, and went to Florida. The company appointed Mr. A.
Sumerlin, who had been in the office with his father, editor and manager,
and, under this management, it is still continued. The Commercial is a four-
page paper, issued weekly, and has a good circulation among its constituents.
The office is very well supplied with material, and a general printing and
job office maintained in connection with the paper.
LODGES, ASSOCIATIONS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
Masonic — Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery K. T., No. 44. Instituted
October 28, 1874. First officers : E. A. Thielens, E. C. ; F. K. La Fever,
Gen.; J. B. Ayer, Capt. Gen. Present officers: Michael Meller, E. C. ; G.
W. Shaw, Gen. ; G. W. Clark, Capt. Gen. ; C. G. Weymouth, Recorder.
Regular conclave the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Mattoon Royal Arch Chapter, No. 85. Instituted October 26, 1865. First
officers: James M. True, H. P.; S. J. Fisher, K. ; W. H. House, S.
Present officers : Thomas Davis, H. P. ; James Darnell, K. ; J. H. Clark, S.;
J. J. Ayer, Sec. Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at their hall.
Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, F. & A. M. Instituted in 1858 (oldest
Masonic Lodge in town). First officers : N. W. Chapman, W. M. ; J. W.
Dora, S. W. ; J. B. Tayler, J. W. ; E. W. True, Treas. ; H. C. Rogers, Sec.
Present officers ; James L. Scott, W. M. ; James H. Clark, S. W. ; John F.
Scott, J. W. ; I. Jennings, Treas. ; W. A. Bell, Sec. Meets first and' third
Mondays of each month, at their hall.
Circle Lodge, No. 707. Instituted January 10, 1873. First officers:
George Wenlock, W. M. ; F. K. La Fever, S. W. ; Benjamin S. Capen, J. W. ;
390 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
William H. Lewis, Sec. Present officers: J. B. Durnell, W. M. ; Thomas
Davis, S. W. ; J. A. Mulford, J. W. ; George W. Clark, Sec. Meets first and
third Wednesdays of each month, at their hall.
Eureka Lodge, No. 13. (Colored Masons.) "First officers : Austin Perry,
W. M. ; Milford Norton, S. W. ; James Hunt, J. W. : David Smith, Treas. ;
Henry Sweet, Sec. Present officers : Austin Perry, W. M. ; T. W. Barnes,
S. W. ; C. Beacham, J. W. : Patrick Williams, Treas. ; D. L, May, Sec.
Meets first Monday of each month, at Kilners Block.
Masonic Benevolent Association. (Insurance.) Chartered August 23,
1876. Officers : Joseph H. Clark, Pres. ; J. Richmond. Vice Pres. ; J. S.
Anderson, Sec. ; J. R. Tobey, Treas. ; J. W. Dora, M. D., Med. Ex. Has
at present a membership of , and is steadily increasing.
Odd Fellows — Mattoon Encampment, No. 97. Instituted in 1868. First
officers : John Owens, C. P. ; J. D. Kilner, S. W. ; A. P. Friok, H. P. ; Elza
McKnight, J. W. Present officers : J. D. Hawes, C. P. : Frank Garthwait,
S. W. ; J. D. Kilner, H. P. : D. S. Coom, J. W. Membership^ over seventy.
Meets first and third Fridays of each month, in Kellerman's Building.
Harmony Lodge, No. 551. First officers : F. M. Phipps, N. G. ; W. E.
Murry, V. G. : W. C. Drish, R. S. ; George Goldgart, Treas. ; S. A. Camp-
bell, P. Sec. Present officers : John M. Kelley, N. G. ; Henry Gochonour,
V. G. ; Frank K. La Fever, R. S. ; A. Spitler, Treas.
Coles County Lodge, No. 260, I. 0. 0. F. Instituted in 1856 or 1857.
Present officers : John Snyder, N. G. ; John Soules, V. G. ; Oliver Goggin,
R. S. ; John Birch, Sec. ; J. T. Kilner, Treas. Meets every Tuesday evening.
Mattoon German Lodge, No. 414, I. O. 0. F. Instituted in 1864. Pres-
ent officers ; John Kelley, N. G. ; Henry Gochonour, V. G. ; Frank LaFew^r,
Sec. ; Abram Spitler, Treas. Meets every Wednesday evening.
Knigjits of Pythias. — Palestine Lodge, No. 46. Instituted April 7, 1874.
First officers : S. A. Campbell, P. C; R. B. Moore, C. C; M. E. Boyd, V.
C; R. B. Woolsey, P.; George W. Clark, M. of E.: Frank P. Clark, M. of F.;
Ira B. Jackson, K. of R. S.; W. H. Augur, M. of A.; George E. Cartmell, I.
G.; John A. M. Scott, 0. G. Present officers: S. G. Tiley, P. C; C. B.
Fry, C. C; J. B. Benefiel, V. C; Henry Wright, P.; Thomas W. Gaw, M. of
E.; William M. Chettle, M. of F.; D. McCaull, K. of R. S.; Thomas
McClurry, M. of A.; Anthony Stewart, I. G.; Robert OAvenby, 0. G. Number
of members, fifty. Meets first and third Thursday evenings of each month, at
their Castle Hall, West Broadway.
K. of P. Endowment. — Section, No. 148. , Instituted in April, 187-'.
First officers : Charles B. Fry, President ; Robert N. Gray, Vice President ;
John W. Hanna, Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Wright, Chaplain ; W. Pat-
rick, Guide ; Henry Gullion, Guard ; A. Stewart, Sentinel. Present officers :
Charles B. Fry, President; John W. Hanna, Vice President; W. M. Chettle,
Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Wright, Chaplain ; L^. Culson, Guide ; Henry
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. * 391
Oullion, Guard ; Anthony Stewart, Sentinel. Membership, over twenty-five.
Meets first and third Thursday evenings of each month, at K. of P. Hall.
Knights of Honor. — Eureka Lodge, No. 598, instituted April 20, 1877,
by William Obermeyer, with twenty-nine members. First officers : J. F. Drish,
Past Dictator ; L. G. Roberts, Dictator ; Frank Noyes, Assistant Dictator ; J.
G. Wright, Y. D.; P. B. Lynn, Reporter; R. S. Holding, F. Reporter; R.
B. Roberts, Sentinel ; A. Danheiser, Guide ; George Beacham, Guardian.
Present officers : J. G. W^ right. Past Dictator ; H. M. Coulter, Dictator ; S. R.
Coddington, V. D.; Lee Schneller, Assistant Dictator : J. L. Matthews,
Reporter : A. Danheiser, Fin. Reporter ; George Bugh, Treasurer ; J. M.
Mitchell, Chaplain ; B. F. Hays, Guardian ; J. B. W^ard, Sentinel. Member-
ship, over one hundred. Meet every Monday evening at their hall. East
Broadway.
Knights and Ladies of Honor — Alpha Lodge No. 28, instituted in April,
1878. First officers: J. F. Drish, Pro.; Mrs. J. W. Hanna, Y. Pro.; L. V.
Woods, Sec; Mrs. W. W. Smith, Fin. Sec; Mrs. h-a James, Treas. Pres-
ent officers : L.G.Roberts, Pro.; Mrs.Norvell, Y. Pro.; Harry Coulter, Sec;
John Parmalee, Fin. Sec; Mrs. Yining, Treas. Meets second and fourth
Thursdays each month in K. of H. hall.
Excelsior Council R. T. of T. — Instituted .January 10, 1879. First and
present officers : 0. W. Gogin, S. C; B. W. Hunt, B. C; W. S. Hinkle, 1\
C; T. A. Allison, Sec; Calvin Moore, Treas.; U. T. S. Rice, Herald; W.
J. Stotts, Sentinel. Meets every Friday evening.
W. C. T. U.— Organized June 5, 1878. First officers: Mrs. M. J. Hinkle,
Pres.; Mrs. Thomas Clegg, Sec: Mrs. Lillie Mulford, Cor. Sec: Mrs.
Maggie Duncan. Treas. Meets every Thursday afternoon in their hall. Fur-
ther particulars of this society, its objects, etc., are given in the history of the
city.
ASHMORE TOW^NSHIP.
This town is pretty well divided between prairie and woodland, the latter,
perhaps, predominating to some extent. Its timber is principally oak, hickory,
sugar-maple, and a light scattering of walnut. The township is watered by the
main branch of the Embarrass River flowing along its western boundary,
together with several smaller streams which have their source in its territory, the
most important of which is Pole Cat Creek. The sweet-scented name of this
stream was derived, it is said, from the fact that a new-comer first learned upon
its classic banks the power and alacrity of that species of feline to defend itself
against its enemies. Ashmore is bounded on the north by Oakland Township;
on the west by the Embarrass River : on the south and east by Hutton Town-
ship and Edgar County, and is much larger tlian a regular Congressional town-
ship. It is a fine agricultural region, and contains many excellent farms. The
Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad passes nearly through its center from east to
392 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
west, and has been of incalculable benefit to the town. The village of Ashmore,
wiiich will be again alluded to in this chapter, is a thriving place, and the ship-
ping point for a large scope of country.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first white men who made claims in the territory now embraced in Ash-
more were the Dudleys. James Dudley entered land here in 1826. He was
originally from New Hampshire, but had been for several years a resident
of Edgar County before coming to this section. When he entered land here he
put his brother, Guilford Dudley, on it, and Laban Burr, a son of Laban Burr,
one of the early settlers of Edgar County, and he remained for several years
afterward in that county before coming to his new possessions. Guilford Dudley
and Laban Burr were both single men, and kept " bachelor's hall " for several
years. Coles County, at the time of which we write, was a part of Clark, and
the first frame barn erected in what now comprises both counties, was put up on
the Dudley farm about 1830. It was a frame structure, as we have said, of the
New England pattern, and after the frame had been "raised," a man of
the name of McCracken climbed to the top of it to christen it by name, as he
said was the custom down in New England. With all due solemnity, and "in
the name of the good people present," he pronounced the name of "Bachelor's
Delight and the Pride of the Fair," and then threw away the bottle, though, as
our informant expressed it, bottles then were rather scarce. What use they had
for a bottle in such a ceremony we are unable to conjecture. The romantic name
under which the barn was christened appears a little contradictory, and the latter
clause a misnomer, as the household at that time was said to have been a bachelor
one. The "raising" of the edifice was quite an event, and men came from the
"Big Creek" settlement (in Edgar County) to assist in the enterprise.
Guilford Dudley, after taking to himself a wife, entered land a short
distance from his brother's place, on which he remained until his death several
years after. His youngest son, Elbridge Dudley, now occupies the place.
Laban Burr eventually married Miss Melissa Sutherland, of Grand View Town-
ship (Edgar County), and entered land south of Dudley's, in what is now Hutton
Township. James Dudley, mentioned above as the first to enter land in this
section, after living a bachelor until the mid-day of life, married a widow lady
named Brown. He sold his farm to a man of the name of Olmstead about
1837, and returned to the East. Adam Cox is supposed to have been from Ken-
tucky, and settled in this township in 1826-27. He located near Dudley's, and,
after remaining there a number of years, sold out and removed to Jasper
County, and finally to Missouri, where he died. He settled in the " Big
Creek " neighborhood before coming to this county.
Job W. Brown was born in the old Nutmeg State, but his parents removed
10 Kentucky when he was ten years old, where they resided several years ; then
came to Lawrence County, 111., and, in January, 1825, removed to Walnut
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 393
Grove, at that time considered the very outskirts of civilization. In 1838, he,
with his father, Jonathan W. Brown, took a contract to build two sections of the
Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, which they completed in 1840. and, the same
year, he settled in Ashmore Township, on a farm he still owns, and upon which
he resided until 1877, when he retired from active labor, and removed into the
village of Ashmore, where he at present lives, enjoying a competency won by
honest toil. Mr. Brown tells the following story of his "sparking" days:
There was living in the neighborhood a family with a grown-up daughter of
whom he was rather fond. After a time, the family moved away some distance
to the northwest, and he would mount his horse semi-occasionally and ride out
to see her. As the country palaces in those times usually consisted of one
room, which served as parlor, dining-room, bedchamber, kitchen, etc., " it
required a good deal of courage," he said, " to corner his girl under such cir-
cumstances," but he " at length got used to it." Upon an observation from
us, that, had we lived in those primeval days, we would have done our sparking
in the summer time, when, with the fair one of our choice, we might have wan-
dered in the " darkling wood, amidst the cool and silence," or lingered beside
the " purling brook, as it meandered over its pebbly bottom," etc., etc., he
((uietly remarked that " where there was a will there was a way," and that
" people in a backwoods country could get used to almost anything."
The severest punishment, he said, that he ever received at school, was given
him by his father when going to school to him. The boys and girls were allowed
to " sit around the room promiscuously," and " all mixed up together." He
was quite a large boy, and one day a pretty little French girl chanced to be
sitting next him, when, upon the spur of the moment, he put his arm around
her, drew her to him and kissed her — "for her mother." His father did not
see the performance, but the titter that ran round the room "gave him away."
The old gentleman forced some timid little fellow to tell the cause of the laugh,
when he walked him and the little girl out in the middle of the room and com-
pelled him to repeat the operation. He braced himself for the ordeal and Avent
through it like a little man, but he observed that his '' heart was not in it as
it was the first time."
John Carter, Pearson and John Wiley, John Wright, Thomas Reed, James
Wells, John K. Spears, William H. Galbraith, C. L. Duncan, William Woods,
Joseph Epperson, Charles'D. Phelps and Fountain Turner were from the old Blue-
Grass State. Carter was from the Crab Orchard country, and came to Illinois in
1830, arriving in this township on the 13th of April, and settled a short dis-
tance east of the present village of Ashmore. He has two sons living — Shelton
Carter, in Ashmore Township, and Joseph Carter, in Morgan Township ; both
are honorable, upright citizens. A daughter married John Austin, and lives on
the place where Mr. Carter built his first cabin. Mrs. Joseph Reed is also a
daughter, and Mrs. Catharine Young, living in Washington Territory. Mr.
Carter died in July, 1841. The Wileys came in 1829, and settled some two or
394 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
three miles from the village of Ashmore. Pearson moved to Parker Prairie,
and John to Douglas County, where he died. Wright settled near the Wileys,
and came about a year afterward. They had all first settled on Big Creek, be-
fore coming to this settlement, but had not remained long in that locality.
Reed came in 182!', and settled about one and a half miles northeast of the vil-
lage of Ashmore, and has been dead a number of years. He died on his origi-
nal settlement, and where his son Caleb Reed now lives. Mrs. Walton, a*
daughter, lives in the town, and Mrs. Galbraith, another daughter, lives in
Hickory Township. James Wells settled about three miles south of the village
of Ashmore. His father was a native of Maryland, and removed to Bracken
County, Ky., at an early day ; Avas one of the very earliest settlers in that part
of the State. James Wells, alluded to above, came here in 1830, and still owns
the original place on which he settled, but for a year or two past has been liv-
ing with his son-in-law, Mr. O'Brien, in the village of Ashmore. John K.
Spears was from Jefferson County, near the city of Louisville, and came to this
township in 1834, settling near Hitesville, He died in 1888; a son. Dr. A.
K. Spears, is living in Charleston. Woods came to Coles County in 1834, and
located in the east part of Ashmore Township, and died in 1878. He has but
one son living, Thomas Woods, residing on the old homestead. Joseph Epper-
son settled in the township the same year as Woods, and came from the same
county (Madison) in Kentucky. He died in 1850, leaving several children in
this part of the country to perpetuate his name. Phelps came in 1830, and set-
tled in Ashmore Township. He had a large family of children, most of whom
still live in Coles County. Mr. Phelps died in 1856. Turner settled in the
township in 1834, where he still resides, one of the solid men of the county.
He and his wife have been living together for more than sixty years, and are hale
and hearty for their age. Galbraith came to Coles County in 1830. His
father was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to Kentucky in an early day.
He was a soldier and an officer of the Revolutionary war, and served seven
years under Washington ; was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at York-
town, and one of the guard of that noted prisoner for some time. He removed
from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816, and the son above mentioned to Coles
County, as noted, in 1830, where he still lives. Coleman L. Duncan, though
but a few years in Coles County, has lived just over the line in Clark since
1830, and can give as vivid accounts of the privations of the early settlers
as any man now living. He resides with his son-in-law. Dr. Steele, of Ash-
more.
Hezekiah Ashmore came from Middle Tennessee, in 1830, and settled in
what is now Oakland Township, and, in 1836, removed to this town. It,
together with the village of Ashmore, was named for him. Mr. Ashmore
landed here with 37 J cents in his pocket, but, realizing that fortune smiles on
those who help themselves, he went to work, and, as fast as he accumulated a
little money, invested it in land, so that, at the time of his death, he owned
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 395
1,600 acres. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace, and one of the
County Commissioners for a number of years. He died in 1872, leaving a
numerous progeny in the county. William Austin was also from Tennessee, and
came to Illinois in 1829. He settled where the village now stands, and, the
ground occupied by this thriving little burg was the first land which he culti-
vated after settling in the neighborhood. His original log cabin is still stand-
ing, though its identity is nearly lost in the modern improvements made to it,
since it first served to shelter a pioneer family from the inclemencies of the
weather. It has been weather-boarded and otherwise improved, and is occupied
by Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Austin has been dead a number of years, but has numer-
ous descendants still residing in the county, to perpetuate an honored name.
Christopher Sousely is another of the early settlers, and came to this township
in 1828. He is still living, but has grown feeble as well as aged, and is wait-
ing in patience for the summons to come. Joseph Henry and his son, Dr. A. M.
Henry, Isaac Hill and a Mr. Forrest, were also early settlers, but of them not
much could be learned. William Birch came from England, in 1833, and
stopped in Pennsylvania, where he spent three years. He occupied an old house
near Philadelphia, once the residence of William Penn. In 1836, he came to
Illinois, and settled near Hitesville, in this township, and died in April, 1864.
He has a son living near Charleston. Enos Barnes came from North Carolina,
and settled two miles north of the village of Ashmore. He was a soldier of
1812, and was with Old Hickory, at the battle of New Orleans. He emi-
grated to Kentucky, where he remained until 1830, when he came to Illinois,
as above. His original cabin stood until 1877. He died in 1872 ; his wife
died in 1855, but one or two sons still live in the township. William H. Brown
and Thomas W. Hallock were from New York; the latter settled in 1837, and
Brown in 1839. Both are still living and are successful farmers.
John Mitchell was a native of the Palmetto State, but had lived successively in
Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, before immigrating to Illinois. He settled
in Coles County, in 1828, in the edge of the Embarrass timber, in Ashmore
Township, where he died some fifteen years afterward, and his wife a year later,
leaving a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living, Will-
iam B. Mitchell, in the State of Kansas, and Mrs. Galbraith, Avife of James
Galbraith, in this township. The condition of the country at the time Mr.
Mitchell settled here, is illustrated in the fact that one of his sons, Robert
Mitchell, went to Darwin, on the Wabash River, a distance of forty miles, for a
marriage license. Rev. S. J. Bovell is a son of one of the pioneer preachers
of Illinois. He was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, and came to
this county with his mother's family, in 1835. His father was a native of the
Old Dominion, and a graduate of Washington College, and, in 1825, received
a call to the Presbyterian Church at Paris, 111., but died in three months after
taking charge. His widow removed to Coles, as above noted, and located
southwest of Charleston. Mr. Bovell remained on the farm with his mother
396 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
until he was twenty years of age, when, after completing his education, he
taught in various States, and, in 1861, was licensed to preach, and, at present,
is Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the village of Ashmore.
Elder Peter K. Honn came from Kentucky in 1835, and stopped for a short
time in Edgar County, and from there went to Sangamon County, where he
remained about six months, working at his trade (blacksmith), after which he
came to Coles County and located at Hitesville, in this township, and opened a
blacksmith-shop, which he continued for several years. In the mean time he
purchased a quarter-section of land, which he improved in connection with his
trade of a blacksmith. He eventually abandoned his shop and devoted his
attention to his farm, until 1875, when, having accumulated a sufficiency of this
world's goods, he retired from active labor, and removed to the village of Ash-
more, where he at present lives in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence.
Some five years after coming to the county, he was ordained a minister of the
Christian Church, and his experience as a pioneer preacher is vast and varied,
sometimes bordering on the extremely ludicrous, as is but natural in a back-
woods country. With no intentional disrespect to the Gospel (for of it we enter-
tain the profoundest veneration), but as an illustration of the state of the coun-
try at that time, and by way of embellishment of dry historical facts, we give
some of the experiences of the old soldier of the Cross, as related to us by him-
self. Upon a certain occasion, when this country was the very center of the
backwoods, he and another preacher, whom he denominated Brother E., made a
missionary or preaching tour, at the latter's special request, through Clark,
Crawford, Jasper and Cumberland Counties, and through the southern part of Coles,
to their homes. The stipulation was, that wherever they stopped they should
preach alternately. After swinging around the circle into Jasper County,
Brother E. informed him that they would stop at Brother So-and-So's to dinner,
the leading man of the neighborhood, a pillar of the church in that section, and
where, it seems, Brother E. had been before. He told Mr. Honn that they
were good people, but not as tidy and neat as they might be, and he would have
to harden up a little. Upon their arrival, Mr. Honn found that this nabob
lived in a mansion composed of one room, which served all purposes a residence
is usually subjected to, and very soon dinner was begun "for the preachers"
by a grown-up daughter, while the lady of the mansion sat on one side of the
fire-place smoking a cob-pipe, and the lord and master on the other side indul-
ging in a like luxury, the preachers occupying seats in front of the fire, looking
on, Mr, Honn admits, with some interest. After a while the girl lifted a pot
off the fire, and opened it apparently to see the state of its contents, while the
odor was quite strange to him, and he nudged Brother E. and asked him what
it was, who replied that it was stewed coon. He at once thought of the hard-
ening-up process, and being a little particular as to his food, was somewhat
doubtful as to whether he should enjoy a very hearty dinner or not. He dis-
covered eventually, however, that his stomach was not quite so sensitive as
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 397
Brother E.'s. After the coon was cooked to her satisfaction, she brought forth
some side pork, very fat, placed it in a skillet and fried the grease all out of it,
leaving a pint or so of lard in the skillet. Next she produced a " crock " full
of buckwheat batter, which she poured into the skillet (not all at once), and he
had noticed that a portion of the hem of some of her undergarments had been
torn from its native place and was dangling within an inch or two of the floor,
and as she would move about the fire, it would now and then draggle in the fry-
ing batter. Brother E. looked at him and he looked at Brother E., and he
noticed that the latter had grown rather pale, so that when dinner was announced
a little later, he could eat but a few mouthfuls. He kept his eye on Brother E.
and, shortly after dinner was over, noticed that he appeared quite uneasy and
looked very pale. Finally he rose rather hastily and left the room, and upon
following him out, found him behind the house "calling New York" lustily.
That evening he had to preach for Brother E.*
He was once called upon to perform a marriage ceremony at the house of
one of the well-to-do pioneers. When he arrived at the cabin, he found the
bride in waiting, dressed in all the glory of backwoods beauty and fashion, and
the groom ditto. Among the "assembled guests" were two very large and
ungainly curs, walking about the room with as much liberty as (to use a slang
expression) blind dogs in a meat-house." After the marriage, all were" invited
to a sumptuous dinner, the dogs included ; or, if the latter were not invited,
they cheeked it, and went in on their own responsibility. When the repast was
well under way, some one dropped a bone, or threw it down to the dogs for the
purpose of creating a little excitement. If for the latter purpose, they suc-
ceeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. They clinched in battle (the
dogs) with savage ferocity, rolled under the table growling, biting and chawing
each other generally. Said Mr. Honn ? " And what did the fair bride, faint ?
Not much. But sprang on to a chair, and in a high state of excitement,
clapping her delicate (?) hands, she yelled at the top of her voice, ' sick 'em !
sick "em ! sick 'em !' " After the guests succeeded in separating the dogs, din-
ner was finished in peace and quiet.
One other episode from Mr. Honn's pioneer experience, and we will pass
on. A young man of the neighborhood, who was addicted to sowing wild oats
with a profuse hand, finally concluded to marry and settle down, and to
this end, succeeded in persuading a girl living some miles away, to unite her
fortunes with his. The mother of the bridegroom elect, who was a highly
respectable lady, thinking or at least hoping, that marriage would work a
reformation in her wayward son, had exerted herself to bring about the union,
and had prepared a wedding feast for the occasion. He had brought the girl to
his mother's, where the marriage was to take place, and all things being in readi-
ness, he posted off to Charleston for the documents that were to bind together
" Two souls with but a single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one."
*Ag it happened It was Brother E.'s tirue to preach, but his dinner had so upset him that he could not come to tim«-
398 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
But at Charleston the devil tempted him, or perhaps he met with some of his
old chums, got drunk, and finally got in jail, where he was detained two or
three days in "durance vile." When set at liberty, he struck out for home,
came by Mr. Honn's, and asked him to go to his mother's with him as he was
going to be married, and wanted him to tie the nuptial knot. Thinking the
fellow was jesting, he demurred, as it was then getting dusk, but he stoutly
asserted that he was in earnest, so Mr. Honn said, "Well, you show me the
marriage license and give me a dollar, and I will submit to being fooled, and
will go with you. " To this he assented, paying over the last dollar he had,
and Mr. Honn mounted his horse and away they went. Upon arriving, the
house was dark, and everybody apparently abed. Mr. Honn told him that did
not look much like a wedding, but he said it was all right. When they went
in they found all abed, sure enough. A married daughter was living with the
old ladv, and into the room where she Was in bed, he was conducted bv the
young man, handed a chair and asked to take a seat. The expectant bride-
groom inquired of his sister where the girl was, calling her by name, and was
informed that she was sleeping in the next room. "I'll bring her out," said
he, Mr. Honn sitting by all this time, taking in the ludicrous position in
which he was placed. The young man went in where the girl was in bed, and
for a long time he heard them in earnest conversation, he begging her to get
up and be married, and she refusing. She told him he had "gone back on
her," that she had sent her clothes home and had nothing to wear (unwittingly
quoting Flora McFlimsey) but an old, dirty calico dress. But as it usually
turns out, the stronger prevailed over the weaker vessel, and she agreed to
"get up and get married." provided his sister would loan her a dress. This
modest request being granted, she arose, arrayed herself in her si=ter-in-law's
(as was soon to be) "good clothes,"" the knot was tied. The pair was spliced,
and the officiating minister returned to his home, with a consciousness that, if
he had earned his dollar, he had at least enjoyed the earning of it.
THE NOBLE RED MAN.
In common with other portions of the country, this section was at one time
in possession of the Indians, and these forests the hunting-grounds of "ye
noble red men." They were plenty here long after the whites began settle-
ments in the country. We have heard of no outrages committed by them in
this immediate vicinity on the white people, but elsewhere in this history, is told
how " war's fierce conflict raged," and battles are described that were fought on
the " sacred soil " of Coles County, between the savages and their pale-faced
enemies. But these events belong not to this chapter. Mr. J. W. Brown,
mentioned among the early settlers of this township, gives us the following
Indian experience: An Indian settlement, adjacent to his father's, was under
the administration of a chief named Ka-Nee-Kuck, a fine-looking specimen of
the "noble red man,"' somewhat intelligent and very religious. He sometimes
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 39^
tried to preach, would go into a trance and see visions, which he would detail
to his people. In his tribe was a warrior whose mind had lost its balance, and
he was at times dangerously crazy. On one occasion he was shown some
pictures of Bible scenes, among them a serpent representing the devil. Upon
looking at the frightful picture, a shudder appeared to thrill his entire frame, .
and, seizing a rifle, he shot an Indian named Black Beaver dead in his tracks
before he could be restrained, or before anv one seemed to realize his intention.
The chief, Ka-Nee-Kuck, with a deputation, came to Mr. Brown's father,
Jonathan W. Brown, for his opinion as to what ought to be done with a man
under such circumstances. Mr. Brown explained to them that the man was
not responsible for the deed, as he was insane and ignorant of the great crime
he had committed, and they should properly secure him to prevent a repetition
of the deed. They took him to a grove of timber and tied him to a tree, but
with the inordinate cunning, common to crazy people, he succeeded in making
his escape. Black Beaver, the man killed, was buried in Mr. Brown's pasture,
but, in that early day, as well as in the present age of refinement, the graves
of the dead were not always left in undisturbed repose, and the body of Black
Beaver was resurrected (it was supposed by a medical student named Smith) to
promote the cause of science. These Indian scenes are all long past, and the
very existence of Indians in this country is almost forgotten. Very few are
living who remember them from personal knowledge. They have faded away
in the mists of the past, just as the pioneer's hut, with its yawning fire-place
extending across one end, its puncheon floor, and its cracks chinked and daubed
with mud, have passed away. These old relics of the by-gone days, and the
ox-teams, the old barshare and Gary plows, the scythe and cradle, and the reap-
hook will soon be nothing more than fire-side tales. As we view the flying
railroad train, the patent reapers and mowers, the plows now in use, the mag-
nificent residences dotting the plain, and the beautiful villages scattered here
and there, we are forced to acknowledge that the strides of invention and im-
provement of the past fifty years have far exceeded the wildest stretch of human
calculation, and we turn from contemplating the world's progress, to muse on
what the next half a century may produce.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, STORES, ETC
The first schoolhouse in the township was built on che hill near " Pole Cat
Bridge," about 1832-33, and was the usual type of the backwoods schoolhouse,
viz., built of round logs, covered with clapboards, chinked and daubed with mud^
the fire-place taking up one end of the building, a puncheon floor — sometimes
mother earth furnished the floor. This was the ordinary temple of learning in
those days, and the school commonly consisted of a dozen or so dirty urchins,
presided over by an old-fogy schoolmaster, as represented in the following lines :
" Old Master Brown brought his ferule down,
And his face looked angry and red.
' Go, seat you there, now, Anthony Blair,
Along with the girls,' he said.
400 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
" Then Anthony Blair, with mortified air,
With his head down on his breast.
Took his penitent seat, by the maiden sweet,
That he loved, of all, the best.
" And Anthony Blair seemed whimpering there.
But the rogue only made believe ;
For he peeped at the girls with the beautiful curls.
And ogled them over his sleeve." *
The first school taught in Ashmore Township was by a man named Foster,
before building the schoolhouse above named. Who first taught in the house
mentioned, our informant had forgotten. The educational facilities have in-
creased, however, since the days of these old-time schools, in proportion to the
increase and improvement in everything else. The town is advantageously
laid out in school districts, elegant and comfortable houses erected, competent
teachers employed and the cause of education liberally supported.
Kev. Isaac Hill is supposed to have preached the first sermon in Ashmore
Township, He and his son, I. B. Hill, were among the early settlers of the
county, and the elder Hill was a local preacher. Rev. John Steele was another
of the early preachers, and is further alluded to in the history of Hitesville.
Elder P. K. Honn is also one of the pioneer preachers of the town. The only
church edifice in the township outside of the villages and hamlets, is Enon
Missionary Baptist Church, in the southern part. It is quite an elegant brick
edifice, and cost between §2,000 and $2,500, and was erected in 1875. It was
dedicated by Rev. Mr. Riley (now of Paris) soon after its completion. The
first Pastor was Rev. Mr. Thornton ; the present one is Rev. A. Jones, and the
society numbers about fifty members. Its numbers have been considerably
lessened by death and removals. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained
during the summer, but is usually disbanded at the beginning of the winter
season. Other church history is more fully given in that of the villages.
The first stores in the town will be mentioned in the history of the villages
and hamlets, as will many other points generally occurring in the township
histories. The first regular blacksmith in the town of Ashmore was Peter K.
Honn, one of the early settlers, and who opened a shop at Hitesville soon after
coming to the settlement. John Carter was a blacksmith, but did not follow it
as a regular business, and Avhen Honn opened a shop, quit it altogether.
The first death in the settlement it is supposed was a child of Adam Cox's, and
occurred about 1831. It was buried in the grave-yard laid out near Mr. Wells',
and was the first occupant of that little city of the dead. The first marriage
and the first birth are alike forgotten, but that ''such have been," the present
population stands as incontrovertible evidence.
VII,LAGE OF ASHMORE.
Ashmore is situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, about seven
miles east of Charleston. It was surveyed and laid out February 14, 1855, by
* For a truthful application of these lines, the reader is referred to " Uncle Jobey " Brown, who can give a Bome-
what similar experience.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 403
H. J. Ashmore and James D. Austin, and for the former of whom it was named.
The entire villao;e stands on the oriorinal Austin farm ; Ashmore had bought
out some of the Austin heirs, and hence owned a part of the land when the
village was laid out. The first store was opened by John Hogue, on the laying
out of the place. McAllister k Ashmore, who had a store on the road, half a
mile southwest of the town " before it was," moved their store to the new village,
and became the second house of the kind in Ashmore. Van Dyke & Hogue put
up the first dwelling in the little village. The first blacksmith-shop was kept
by William English. The Waters boys started a wagon-shop about the same
time. The first mill in the village was built by J. A. Brown in 1856, and was
burned some three or four years afterward. A brother of Brown's was the first
railroad agent at Ashmore. The present mill was built by Clement k Fish,
about 1866. It stands near the railroad track, just east of the station, is a
frame building, with two runs of buhrs and does a good business. It is owned
at present by Chris Miller, an efiicient man, who thoroughly understands the
milling business. The first tavern was kept by H. J, Ashmore, is still standing
and kept at present by A. B. McDavid. The village boasts of another hotel,
the Franklin House, kept by John Franklin. The first post office was estab-
lished on the laying out of the village, with Thomas O'Brien as Postmaster.
Elias Monroe represents Uncle Sam in the post office department here at pres-
ent. The first schoolhouse was built in 1857-58, and was a kind of partnership
aiFair with the religious people. It was finally purchased for school purposes,
and so used until the building of the present edifice. Washington Boyer and
Charles P. Scott were the first teachers in the village, but which one has the
honor of teaching the first school cannot be ascertained. Prof B. H. Chase is
Principal of the school at present, and Miss Roma Carter, assistant teacher.
The present fine brick schoolhouse was built in 1871, is two-stories high and
cost about §3,000.
A summary of the business of Ashmore presents the following showing :
four general stores — Zimmerman & Monros, F. M. Waters, Waters Brothers &
Davis and J. R. Snyder ; three grocery stores — Joshua Rickets, Peter Shleppy
and George O'Brien ; two drug stores — A. F. Robertson and W. R. Comstock ;
five physicians — Drs. Van Dyke, Steele, Robertson, Hobart and Honn ; one
hardware store — Austin, Brown k KimbaU, who also handle lumber, furniture
and agricultural implements; stoves and tinware, J. A. Brown; shoe-shop, J.
H. Poulson ; harness-shop, James C. Coulson ; marble-shop, Charles E. Cox ;
four blacksmith-shops — Charles W. Waters (both wood and iron), P. B. Parcell,
John Melland Woodworth k Ault; two wood-shops — Thomas Kincade and 0-
D, Stoddert. It is a flourishing little village, with a set of wide-awake, ener-
getic business men. In addition to the above business directory, there is a grain
warehouse, which does quite a business. Considerable grain is shipped from
this point, mostly however, by the merchants of the place, who buy in a small
way. A good deal of stock, cattle and hogs, is also shipped from this station.
404 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
THE CHURCHES.
The village of Ashmore boasts of three very stylish church edifices, viz.,
Methodist Episcopal, Cumberland Presbyterian and Old-School Presbyterian.
The first religious society organized in the village, or now located in the village,
was the Methodist. It was originally organized in the neighborhood in 1831,
by Rev. Joseph Henry, a local preacher, with the following members : Dr.
West and wife, C. Sousely and wife, Joseph Mclntire and wife, Robert Modrell
and wife, J. H. Modrell and wife, Matthew McLain and wife, James Hubanks
and wife, William Austin. Sr., and his daughters, Frances and Mahala, Samuel
P. Burr, George Modrell, Margery Modrell, Sarah Hubanks, Ruth Clark,
Jennie Clark and Elizabeth Clark, and perhaps some others. The name of the
first preacher, or circuit-rider, was Rev. Mr. Rhimon. The first church was
built in 1869, in the village, and cost about $2,500. About 1838, in conjunc-
tion with the Presbyterians, they built a log church some two miles west of the
village, Avhich they used for a number of years. This log church, school-
houses and settlers' cabins were their places of worship, until the building
of their church in Ashmore, and the organization has been kept up ever since
first established in 1831. The present membership is thirty-five, and J. A.
Burke, Pastor. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1831, by Methodists
and Presbyterians, William Austin and James Hite, Superintendents, and has
been run as a union school ever since, until last summer, when the Methodists
organized a separate school. It numbers about eighty or ninety scholars, with
L. C. Fell, Superintendent.
Hebron Church, of the Old-School Presbyterians, was organized on
the 19th June, 1841, by a committee appointed by Palestine Presbytery,
consisting of Revs. Isaac Bennett and James Reasoner, and Ruling Elders J.
Balch and William Collom. The original members who went into the organiza-
tion were Robert Brooks, Mary Brooks, James H. Bovell, Jane M. Bovell,
Alfred J. L. Brooks, Mary Brooks, Robert A. Brooks, Samuel Hogue, Letitia
Hogue, Sarah Moflfett, James Moffett, Thomas C. Mitchell, Isabella A. Mitchell,
Margarist J. Mitchell and Cynthia Moffett. The first Ruling Elders were
Thomas C. Mitchell and Robert Brooks. Rev. Isaac Bennett preached occa-
sionally for the Church for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. John
McDowell, who preached twice a month for two years, beginning in May. 1842.
Rev. John Steele was stated supply for the Church from 1844 to 1849, giving it
one-half of his time. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph A. Jams in February,
1849, who supplied the pulpit for two years. From 1851 to 1855, Rev. James
Cameron, who lived in Charleston, preached occasionally. For the next ten
years, from 1855 to 1865, various ministers were connected with the church as
stated supplies, giving it a part of their time from their other charges in the
following order : Revs. John McDole, A. J. Cameron, R. A. Mitchell, James
A. Allison, H. I. Venable and Nathaniel Williams. In October, 1865, Rev.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. ^ 405
S. J. Bovell was called to the charge as stated supply, and has without any
interruption continued to hold this relation up to the present time. Since its
organization, 160 persons have been received into membership, about 60 now
constituting the membership, the depletion being caused by death and removals.
Only three of the original members are nojv living, viz., A. J. L. Brooks,
James Moffett and Letitia Hogue. I. S. Wright, I. M. Moffett, T. J. Bull
and A. J. L. Brooks are the Ruling Elders. The first church-building was
located two miles west of the village of Ashmore, near the former residence of
James Galbraith, and was a log structure, and built in connection with the
Methodists. In 1867, a neat and commodious church-building was erected in
the village, at a cost of $3,300, but the organization still retained the name of
Hebron, and was known as Hebron Church, under the care of Mattoon Presbytery.
The church was dedicated on the 20th of October, 1867. The history of
the Sabbath school is similar to that of the Methodist Church above given, and
was a union school with that church until the past summer, when the school
was divided.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1858, under the
ministerial charge of Rev. James Ashmore, who was the first regular Pastor.
The church was commenced in 1866 and completed the following year. It is
an elegant brick edifice and cost about $7,500, and is under the pastoral charge
of Rev. A. B. McDavid, with a membership of about one hundred and twenty-
five. H. J. Ashmore, one of the benevolent citizens of Ashmore, contributed
to the building of this church edifice $3,500. While it was in process of erec-
tion, the agent of the Cumberland Presbyterian College at Lincoln, 111., came
to the village, and hearing of Mr. Ashmore's liberality, called on him to know
how much interest he wanted in the Lincoln College. " Two hundred dollars,"
replied Mr. Ashmore, and paid over the money. A Sunday school was organ-
ized by this church in 1860, and has an average attendance of 120, under the
superintendence of 0. F. Ashmore.
Ashmore Lodge, No. 390, was organized in the fall of 1863, with the fol-
lowing charter members, viz. : A. N. Graham, W. P. Ferris, Caleb Reed, Ham-
ilton Bennett, J. A. Brown, M. W. Barnes, John Campbell, 0. D. Hawkins,
W. S. Vanmeter, W. N. Young and Robert Boyd, of whom the following were
the first set of officers : W. S. Vanmeter, Worshipful Master ; A. N. Graham,
Senior Warden ; Caleb Reed, Junior Warden ; John Campbell, Treasurer ; M.
W. Barnes, Secretary ; W. P. Ferris, Senior Deacon ; W. N. Young, Junior
Deacon, and Robert Boyd, Tiler. The present roll of officers are : P. B.
Parcell, Worshipful Master ; W. R. Comstock, Senior Warden ; John Wood-
worth, Junior Warden ; P. M. Shleppy, Treasurer ; L. C. Fell, Secretary ; W.
E. Franklin, Senior Deacon ; Christian Miller, Junior Deacon, and I. N.
Moon, Tiler, with the names of twenty-nine members on the records.
The village of Ashmore was incorporated April 19, 1867, and the following
Trustees elected to look after its welfare : Jacob A. Brown, Thomas O'Brien,
406 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
William Bass, William P. Ferris and A. F. Robertson. The Board organized
by electing Jacob A. Brown and A. F. Robertson, Clerk. The present Board
is as follows, viz. : Adam Coon, President, and Thomas O'Brien, William T.
March, William L. Cox, Thomas Austin and John G. Parker. J. 0. Brown
is Clerk, A. F. Robertson, Police* Magistrate, and Thomas W. Hogue, Town
Marshal.
VILLAGE OF HITESVILLE.
Hitesville is an old village, or would be, if still in existence, but it has
passed away, "among the things that were." It was laid out April 15, 1835,
by James Hite, for whom it was named, and who appears to have been an enter-
prising citizen. At one time, it was quite a village, with stores, shops, and
every appearance of becoming a town. But, railroads passing near, new
villages have sprung into being, which have literally swallowed up Hitesville,
leaving scarce a trace to tell where it stood. At an early day, a Presbyterian
Church was organized at Hitesville, by Rev. John Steele. The church was
built almost entirely by Mr. Hite, the neighbors ' contributing but a small
amount of the means toward its erection. Hite finally moved away, sold the
church, which was converted into a dwelling, and used as such for awhile, and
then torn down. Prior to its discontinuance as a church, however, the
Christian denomination organized a church, and erected a building at this
place, about 1840. It soon became too small for the increasing membership ;
was sold, and a larger one built during the late war, at a cost of $2,500, and is
a handsome frame building. Its present membership is something over 100,
and has, since its organization, numbered 200 members, but has been
thinned out by death and removals. The present Pastor is Elder James Steele,
but Elder P. K. Honn has been the minister in charge of it almost from its
organization, until age compelled him to retire from active labors. This is
about all there is left to tell where Hitesville once stood.
St. Omer was never laid out as a village, but at one time was a collection
of perhaps half a dozen houses, a store, post office, blacksmith-shop, etc. The
Ashmores opened a store at the place many years ago, and a man named
Hogue kept one on the road, about half a mile from St Omer, at the same
time. But, like Hitesville, and from a similar cause, St. Omer has disappeared.
A church and two or three dwellings are all that is left. The church belongs
to the Cumberland Presbyterians, and is one of the pioneer church organiza-
tions of Coles County. The society was originally organized in a schoolhouse
near the present village of Ashmore, with thirty-seven members, on the 30th
of May, 1842. John Mitchell, William Austin, Sr., and Alexander Mont-
gomery were the first elders. Though originally organized near Ashmore, its
membership was largely of St. Omer, and the church-building was erected at
the latter place, about 1857, at a cost of $1,200, not including the lot on which
it stands. It is a frame building. 30x40 feet, with a membership at present of
about one hundred, under the pastoral charge of Rev. A. B. McDavid. Its
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 407
aggregate membership since organization is about three hundred and seventy.
The present Elders are John Dollar, Josiah Bitner, J. Keran, Daniel Wicker
and Milton W. Barnes ; the latter is the Clerk of the Board. The deacons
are Joseph W. Bitner and John F. Childress.
POLITICS AND WAR.
Ashmore village and township, taken together, are Republican in politics.
The war record of the town is good. In all of our little " scrimmages," Ash-
more has participated, to a greater or less extent. The war of 1812, the Black
Hawk Avar of 1832, the Mexican war, and our last unpleasantness, all had
representatives from this section, and even one or two soldiers in the Revolu-
tionary struggle afterward wandered to this region. In our last war, the great
rebellion, many of the citizens shouldered their muskets and offered themselves
to their country. The following are among the enlistments from this township
so far as we have been able to gather them : Dr. A. F. Steele, Company C,
Sixty-second Illinois Infantry ; Nathaniel Davis, Company H, Third Missouri
Cavalry, as Sergeant ; William T. Moore, Company D, One Hundred and
Thirty-third Indiana (100 days); Elias Moore, Company H, Fifty-ninth Illi-
nois Volunteers ; F. M. Waters, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Vol-
unteers, as Chief Musician ; Joshua Rickets entered J. W. Bissell's Engineer
Regiment of the West, as private, and was promoted to Second and then First
Lieutenant, served twenty months, and resigned ; William C. Kimball, Com-
pany H, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteers ; Sidney Epperson,
Company H, Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, promoted to Quartermaster;
Rhodes Epperson, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Vol-
unteers ; Martin Turner, Company — , One Hundred and Twenty-third Illi-
nois Volunteers, killed in battle of Perryville ; Thomas J. Bull, Company C,
Iowa Cavalry ; Adon Wiley, Company E, Seventy-ninth Illinois Vol-
unteers. There were, perhaps, many others from the township, but we have
been unable to learn their names.
PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
This township is the middle one in the southern tier of townships in
the county. It is a little irregular in shape, being bounded on the east by the
Embarrass River, which follows a southern course, slightly inclining westward.
The township is eleven sections long and four wide. This will give it forty- four
sections, or 28,160 acres. As a part of the eastern sections are, however,
in Hutton Township, there is probably not that amount of land by two thousand
acres. The land is, in the main, excellent for farming purposes. It originally
was nearly all covered with a dense growth of good timber, hence the township
is among the earliest settled in the county. The only prairie of any size is one
known by the very unclassical name of " Goose-Nest Prairie." It was probably
408 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
a fine-look in_o- piece of country to the eyes of the first white man who saw it;
but whether he gave it that name from finding a goose's nest there, or from its
fancied resemblance to that repository of goose eggs, or whether he had been a
classic student in his day, and had read of the fabled goose which laid a golden
egg every day, and made it so valuable, is a matter of some dift'erence of opinion.
Some say the primeval white man here looked upon the scene spread out before
him and exclaimed, " This is the very goose nest." Others affirm he found a
goose's nest here, and hence the name. If any of our readers care to pursue
the subject to its end, and settle the point, we refer them to several old residents
in the "Goose Nest" whom they can examine, and with whom they can argue
the point. Which of the three origins is correct matters but little now ;
one thing is certain, that name, so illustrative of the disposition of frontier life,
will always stay.
The timber originally found in this township, much of which yet remains, is
composed of all varieties indigenous to this part of Illinois. The most valuable
is now nearly all gone, that remaining consisting of a more common kind, and
used chiefly for fire-wood and fencing. As much of this abo.unds, but little, if
any, coal is used in the township.
No streams of water traverse this part of the county, save a few small tribu-
taries of the Embarrass and Muddy Creek. The largest is the little Indian
Creek, which rises in Section 36, in La Fayette Township, and flows southeasterly
almost entirely through Pleasant Grove. It has one small aftluent, rising in Section
3, Neither the main creek nor its branch is of a size to be of any practical use,
save drainage. Two little creeks flow southward through the western part of the
township, affording, like the Little Indian, a partial drainage to that part of
country. The principal one is known as Big Muddy, from the character of its
waters. Near it was an early settlement in this part of Coles County. The
main surface of Pleasant Grove Township is somewhat undulating in appear-
ance. There is not much wet land to be found in its borders. A few swamps
are here and there to be seen, but these admit of easy drainage, and will, in
time, all be brought under cultivation.
On Section 23, in this township, exists a natural curiosity. On a spot of
ground, covering about one-half acre in extent, are ten springs, each sending
forth a stream of remarkably cold water, highly impregnated with diff"erent
medicinal qualities. What is strange, is that no two springs are alike in the
quality of water they emit. One spring will be highly impregnated Avith car--
bonate of soda, while near it will be another impregnated with iron, another
with chloride of sodium, and so, on — as many diff'erent waters as there are
springs. As all are medicinal in their qualities, many persons resort here for
the cure of various diseases which these waters are supposed to benefit. Indeed,
many ai"e bettered by coming here, and it is the intention to fit up a place, so that
accommodations can be furnished those desiring to come. The springs are
now owned by Dr. Ilalbrook, who keeps, temporarily, many patients in his
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 409
house, near the springs. The place evidences being a favorite resort of the
Indians, as a great abundance of relics of these aboriginal inhabitants are
found here.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
* * -sc- * * *
" Then, looking eastward o'er the plain,
I saw a slowly-moving train
Of objects coming, far away.
Like schooners floating on the bay.
•
" Their whitened sails were neatly spread,
And slowly on their course they sped,
As, westward still they kept their way,
Toward the setting orb of day."
The picture presented by Mr. George Balch of the coming of the emigant,
in the above lines, is vividly true of the arrival of the first settlers to Central
Illinois. No railways then existed in the great West. Indeed, they were only
known in the East, and were more dreaded in England, where they began, than
liked. They were then in crude infancy, and were not thought of in the West.
Hence, the picture of their "whitened sails neatly spread,"' as the wagons of
the pioneers came Westward, is not in the least overdrawn. They came chiefly
from the South — from Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama — as the sequel shows
in the mention of each one.
Emigrants coming from these various Southern localities, at that day, gen-
erally converged at a point on the Ohio River, at or below Louisville. From
there they came north, through Western Indiana, to Vincennes, the oldest set-
tlement on the Wabash. From this place, sometimes they came directly west
to their various localities, or went on north to Terre Haute, and from that place
went to their chosen homes. Sometimes, however, they went on down the
"beautiful river," on llatboats, to old Shawneetown, where they disembarked,
reloaded their goods and themselves into their wagons, and came north to Carmi
or Mount Carmel ; from either of which places they could find routes north-
ward. While on the way, they encamped wherever night overtook them, gen-
erally making some grove of trees and stream of water their halting-places.
Mr. Balch in his poem, from which two verses are already quoted, further
describes their mode of camp-life. We subjoin it, as better descriptive of that
scene than anything we have found :
" Four hundred miles behind them lay
Their native land, so far away —
Their childhood's home, their place of birth,
Their father's and their mother's hearth.
" Before them stretched the boundless West,
In all its native grandeur dressed ;
Where, fresh from the Almighty's hand,
There lay a second Promised Land .
410 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
" But now the sun, adown the west,
In crimson clouds was robed for rest ;
While in the east, with hidden sheen,
The Goddess of the Night was seen,
" Too modest to unveil her light
Until her lord had passed from sight.
The weary day being almost spent,
The pilgrims halt and pitch their tent.
" Beside a limpid, babbling rill,
With shady groves along the hill
Where savage bands, in other days,
Had seen their sparkling camp-fire blaze ;
" And round it danced in savage glee
Like beasts, as wild, like birds, as free.
But as they now far west had fled.
The pilgrims had no foes to dread.
" Their jaded steeds were loosed, at will
To crop the herbage from the hill ;
Their sparkling camp-fire's cheerful light
Kept back the gathering shades of night,
" Which drew their sable curtains round
The pilgrims' lonely camping-ground.
While cheerful chats and cheering song
Soon whiled a pleasant hour along
" In which their meal had been prepared.
And by each one was gladly shared.
Then, ere the pioneers retire.
They gather round their cheerful fire,
" And talk of scenes. in other years.
Of rising hopes and boding fears,
Of childhood's happy hours, now fled.
Of once loved friends, who now are dead,
" Of kindred dear, they left behind
When starting west, new homes to find.
In fancy saw the schoolhouse still,
As once it crowned their college hill,
" While in its shady groves they strayed.
And ' hide-and-seek ' in fancy played ;
Or gathered round their grape-vine swing
And heard their comrades' voices ring.
" Those comrades too, had left their plays —
Forever gone their childhood days —
And now, with trusty sword and shield,
Like them were on life's battle-field.
" Some talked of ' mother's ' earnest prayer ;
Some of ' father's ' anxious care :
These, too, they feared they ne'er would meet
This side the ' city's golden street.'
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 411
" The little church, to them so dear,
Engaged their thoughts and claimed a tear ;
They prayed that God would bless the place
Where first they tasted of his grace.
" They called to mind their pastor's care,
His counsel wise, and faithful prayer ;
Rejoicing that they had a friend
Whose prayers for them would still ascend
" To God, who, though enthroned on high.
Will hear the lowly when they cry.
And now to Him their thoughts are turned,
While in their hearts for Him they yearned :
" For man is sure, when left alone,
To think of God, and heaven and home.
But darker grew the shades of night.
The evening star had passed from sight,
" The Pleiades shone from on high
Like sparkling gems set in the sky :
While higher still Orion swung,
And sweeter evening's anthems sung.
" And there, around that lone camp-fire,
Before the pioneers retire,
They bow beneath the solemn grove
And chant to God these lines of love.
" With heart and voice, and bended knee.
Our Father, God, we come to Thee;
No temple built by human skill,
No ritual made by human will,
Have we to bring.
"Our hearts shall be Thy temple home,
Where Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone;
And in these temples built for praise.
Our humble notes of song we raise.
Thy love to sing.
"We praise Thee for Thy constant care;
For grace, the ills of life to bear ;
For streugth to help us on our way.
And bread of life from day to day,
AVhich we partake.
" And now, we give ourselves to Thee,
Oh, keep Thy trusting children free !
And guard us through the shades of night.
And wake us with the moruing light.
For Jesus' sake.
"Thus trusting on a Sovereign Lord,
They rose from otf the grassy sward,
And soon retired to peaceful rest.
With naught but love within each breast.
412 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
"Their jaded steeds rest on the hill.
Their tinkling bell is hushed and still,
And silence reigns throiigiiout the earth,
Like that which reigned before its birth."
Mr. Balcli continues in this poem to note the rise in the morning of the
pioneers ; their search for a home ; their success in finding one in a forest through
which a stream courses its way, and the erection of their cabin-home. ■ It is
very strikingly portrayed, and .«peaks well for his native genius. Had he had
the advantages of an education, he would take rank with many writers widely
known. As it is, we understand he intends publishing a volume of his
poems, in which the remainder of the poem we quote will appear. Its length
precludes further quotation in our pages.
Just who was the first settler in Pleasant Grove — often called Pleasant
Prairie — is now hard to determine. Mrs. Chowning states that her father,
John Gordon, came to the Kickapoo settlement in 1826, and the next year, she
thinks in the spring, he moved down to Pleasant Grove, where she is now living.
There he found an unfinished log cabin, built by an old Baptist preacher, called
" Daddy " Barham. This cabin Mr. Gordon completed and used as a residence.
Others, however, differ from this statement. Some assert that the first settle-
ment was made in this township in 1827, by Isaac Fancher and Buck Houchin,
near the head of Muddy Point Creek. This is the generally accepted view, and
is given as true by Capt. Adams in his Centennial Address. Still, others
claim that Jack Price came here prior to Fancher or Houchin, and that to him
belongs the honor. From a pretty close investigation of the subject we are
inclined to the opinion given by Capt. Adams. The weight of testimony is in
favor of Fancher and Houchin. Price must have followed them closely, how-
ever, and may have been with them.
It is likely that these persons are all that settled in this township that year.
If they brought their families as Mr. Gordon did, there were four settlers and
four pioneer homes in the township that fall.
The next year, Mr. Joseph Glenn, then a young man, visited this settle-
ment. After satisfying himself as to its desirableness, he determined to locate.
He informed Mr. George Balch afterward, that Avhen he came here, there were
five families in this settlement, and that he thought no others existed in the
township. He says Dorcas Tulley, who lived near the south line of the county
where John T. Jones now resides, was among the number. He also mentions
Mr. Fancher. He named all of them, but the names have escaped Mr. Balch's
memory. Those that we have mentioned would make just this number, and are,
probably, the families Mr, Glenn referred to. Mr. Glenn lived here until a
short time since, when his death occurred. He was rather widely known, and
was blessed with an excellent memory. It is to be regretted now that he did
not write down for preservation his recollections of the days he first lived here,
and the events passing at the time. He, like many another, did not realize
their value, and thus much of the early history of this part of Illinois is lost.
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 413
Mr. Glenn went to Lawrence County in the fall of 1829. He married Ellen
Reynolds in 1830 or 1831, who was born in Illinois in 1808 or 1809, and is
yet living. She is one of the oldest native-born citizens in this county. Mr.
Glenn's farm was long known as the "Glenn Place," and was brought by its
owner to a high state of cultivation.
In the spring of 1829, quite a number of settlers came. " Goose-Nest Prai-
rie " was settled this spring by Rev. Daniel Barham (" Daddy " Barham, already
referred to) and his sons John and Nathan, and Thomas Barker, who erected
the first cabins there. If these were the first cabins built by the good minister,
then the statement that he erected a cabin near the Gordon grave-yard in 1827,
or before, is evidently an error by a year or two. As there is now no one left
who lived through this time and is cognizant of it all, in all its details, it is
extremely difficult to settle the point of the first settler. Rev. Barham was an
efficient Baptist minister, and labored earnestly in his Master's calling, and
may have been here as early as Mrs. Chowning thinks ; but, from the best
testimony we are able to gather, it is two years later, i. e., in 1829. " The
same spring that ' Daddy' Barham, his sons and Mr. Barker came," says Capt.
Adams, "Michael Taylor and son, Elijah, John and Patrick Gordon and Dow
Goodman located in the ' Goose Nest.' " This is further proof that Mrs. Chown-
ing's father came in 1829, instead of 1827.
The first settlement on Indian Creek was made this same year. At the
head of this creek, was an old Indian camping-ground, evidencing use in many
generations past. It was a convenient spot for pasturage and water, and, as
such, was regarded favorably by the pioneers. It is in the north and northeast
part of the township, and may be considered the third settlement in the town-
ship. Its pioneers were Zeno Campbell, Gershom, William and Thomas Balch,
who, as stated, located in 1829.
This same year, the Muddy Point settlement was augmented by the arrival
of Joseph Glenn, Daniel Edson, Daniel Beals and his two sons, Oliver and Jesse,
and William Dryden and Alfred Balch, who came to view the country. The
next year, William Gammill and his sons Andrew and Samuel, and sons-in-law,
A. Balch and Isaac Odell, also Abner Johnston, whose son is now President of
the First National Bank at Charleston, came to Indian Creek and Muddy Point
settlements. The year before, Jesse Fuller and his family came from Virginia
and bought the farm now known as the " Sell " place. Mr. Fuller remained
here until his death. Mr. Theron E. Balch located with his family this season,
also. Mr. Balch became a very prominent man in his time. He was the first
school-teacher in the township, was a firm friend of religion and was one of the
best men in the pioneer days of the community. He arrived with his family in
October, and settled in the timber, near the " Goose-Nest Prairie." Here he
built him a small pole cabin, and during this winter, it is thought, taught the
pioneer school in the township, in a small pole cabin, in Muddy Point settlement,
near where the Cumberland Presbvterian Church is no'w situated. He and his
414 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
wife were strong Abolitionists, liberating their slaves in the South before they
came, bringing sorae with them. Mr. Balch was one of the earliest adherents
to that party, and is said to have been one of the first seven men to vote that
ticket. Mrs. Balch is yet living in Wisconsin, eighty-six years of age, blind
and deaf. She has been a most remarkable woman in her time. She lives with
one of her daughters, and has with her one of her liberated woman slaves, who
is almost as old as her mistress.
The reader will observe that quite a number of persons located in the first
two years of the settlements here. As many of them belonged to the Cumber-
land and Regular Presbyterian Churches, they united in August, 1830, and
formed a Presbyterian Church under the care of the Old-School body — as it
would be better known by that name — and began to hold services. As immigra-
tion was rapid during the next three or four years, however, a Cumberland
Presbyterian Church was organized, and those professing that creed drew off
from the other Church as soon as this opportunity afforded them a chance to
join a church of their own choice.
On the 19th of November following the organization of the Church at Indian
Creek, the settlement in Pleasant Grove was joined by a colony of sixteen
grown persons and eleven children from Bedford County, Tenn., about fifty
miles south of the city of Nashville. They came, like their predecessors, in the
old Virginia wagons, drawn by two and four horse teams, making the journey of
400 miles in a few months. Now it is made in a day and a night. They
camped out on the way, and while in Indiana, about fifteen miles south of Vin-
cennes, they were obliged to stop and bury one of their number, a child, a son
of Isaac and Mary Odell. A number of years ago, George D. Prentice,
the veteran Louisville editor and poet, stood, he records, at the grave of a little
child in Arkansas, buried from an emigrant wagon. He embalmed the incident
in verse, which is so touching, and which applies to the burial of Mr. and Mrs.
Odell's little child so well, that we reproduce a verse here :
"Not in the church-yard's hallowed ground,
Where marble columns rise around,
By willow or by cypress shade,
Are thy poor little relicts laid.
Thou sleepest here, all, all alone,
No other grave is near thine own.
' Tis well, 'tis well; but oh, such fate
Seems very, very desolate.
* * * *
But yet it matters not, poor child.
That thou must sleep in this lone wild ;
Each springtime, as it wanders past,
Its buds and blooms will round thee cast ;
The thick -leaved boughs and moonbeams pale.
Will er thee spread a solemn veil,
And softest dews and showers will lave
The blossoms on the infant's grave."
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 415
The colony mentioned, coming in the fall of 1830, were headed by William
Oammill (already noticed), who knew something of the country, and, with
Alfred M. Balch, was one of ^ the projectors of the move. In addition to these
two, there were Mr. Balch's children — Ann Jane, who afterward became the
wife of H. J. Reynolds, of Neoga; Nanny Caroline, who died in Mai'ch, 1853 ;
Rhoda E., who died at thirteen years of age, and whose memory her brother
Oeorge B. has touchingly preserved in verse. George B. was then very
young, and has lived all his life in the township, noting all its changes, and has
recorded many of them in poetry. Another family (and we shall name each
family of this colony) was J. J. and Martha Adams, and their one child, W. E.
Adams, then eleven days old. On his arrival, Mr. Adams, like the others,
hastily erected a pole cabin, into which he moved. Before he could properly
inclose it, the winter set in exceedingly cold, and with great difficulty could they
preserve themselves and their child from freezing. The covers of the wagon
were taken off, hung inside the cabin walls, and with one device and another,
aided by the huge fire kept constantly burning in the great chimney, they man-
aged to live through the winter. Many of their neighbors were no better oft".
The next year, he and all the colonists raised a very good crop, putting it in with
the old-fashioned barshare plows, remodeled and repaired their cabins, and by
winter were prepared to stand the rigors of a Western winter. It will be recol-
lected that the one before was made memorable by the ''deep snow," and the
great freshet in the spring consequent upon the melting of the snow. It is fully
noticed elsewhere, and need not be repeated here. It was the same over all the
country, only of a greater depth in the northern part of the State. As a portrait
and full sketch of Col. Adams' life appear elsewhere in this volume, we will
omit any further mention of his deeds here. They are all worthy a place in the
annals of Coles County, and when the Colonel died a few months since, he left
behind him a record worthy of imitation by all.
Isaac and Mary Odell, son-in-law and daughter of Mr. Gammill, were also
of this company. It was their child that died in Indiana and was left sleep-
ing on the roadside. Their next son, George W. Odell, was the first child born
in Charleston, which town was laid out the next summer after the colony's arrival.
Col. Adams and A. M. Balch cut logs and built some of the first houses in that
aspiring town. One of these may yet be seen on a hill in the western part of
town, just east of where the Ashmore mill was burned. Of all the members of
that colony who were men and women when they came, Mrs. Odell — " Aunt
Polly " — is the only survivor.
The next family was Andrew and Jane Gammill and their three children,
all of whom are living yet. One is Mrs. Caroline Shoemaker, of La Fayette
Township, another Mrs. Adaline Hendricks, now in Missouri, and the third
Mrs. Lucinda Whetstone, of Pomona, Kan. Mark and Matilda Baker with
their two children, Joseph and Matilda, are the next family mentioned. Both
the children are now dead. The father died in about two years after coming.
416 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
from malarial diseases. His wife aftei-Avard married M. Tyra Hays, and gave
fame to Pleasant Grove by giving existence to three boys at one birth, all of
whom are yet living.
Andrew Clark and wife were also in this colony. They had no children
when they came. Mr. Clark was afterward well known in Charleston in the
hotels there, being one of the early landlords of the town. In this colony
were two young men, Philip Odell and S. K. Gammill, who should be noticed
here. The first named, Odell, died in Charleston, about 1835. In the early
issues of newspapers there, his obituary was published, wherein some friend
embalmed his memory in verse which we now recall, and which many of the
old people will doubtless remember:
"Could I the sacred nine command.
Or inspiration guide my hand
In numbers sweet but sad, I'd tell
The virtues uf our friend Odell."
The other young man, S. K. Gammill, afterward beca\ne prominently known
in the south part of the county. He married Elizabeth Dryden, who yet
lives. Mr. Gammill died about twelve years ago, of cholera.
The majority of the persons coming in this little colony, were members of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in their native State. They found no
church of their own here, and the majority went into the Presbyterian Church
at Indian Creek. They remained here, however, but a few years, when, being
joined by more of their own profession, they formed a church at Muddy Point,
and began services there.
The winter following — 1830-31 — Avas, as has been observed, one of great
severity. The intense cold, the deep snow, the scanty provisions and poor
accommodations made the pioneer's life one of privation, and to those who had
enjoyed the milder serenity of a more southern clime, it called for the stron-
gest powers of fortitude and courage. The following spring, owing to the great
snoAV, was very wet, and it was late before crops could be planted. The cabins
were repaired, or new and better ones built, fields were cleared, and prepara-
tions to found that home they all desired went steadily on. They Avent to the
Wabash Point timber for mail, where George M. Hanson had the year before
obtained a post office, and where quite a number of families, chiefly Meth-
odists in religion, were settled. Those of Pleasant Grove also came here to
mill, for Slover's Mill was about the only one in this part of the country. It
was during this summer, it is thought, that C Campbell opened a blacksmith
shop in the township. His shop was near the residence of Zeno Campbell.
He was a good workman, making excellent axes, Cary plows and various
other implements, Avhich could not have been obtained nearer than Paris, in
Edgar County, or equally as distant places. It might be well to mention of
Zeno Campbell that he was run for the Legislature on the Whig ticket, from
this part of the county. He was an excellent man, but quiet and a little
HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 417
eccentric in his manner, refusing to go out and "stump" the field. This was
very likely the cause of his defeat, as he was well respected wherever known.
He gave the ground on which the Presbyterian Church was erected in 1832,
and with his wife lived to the good old age of more than fourscore years. It
will be remembered they came to Pleasant Grove in 1829.
The summer of 1831, brought with it a new influx of immigration. Those
who stayed in this township were chiefly Presbyterian in religious views, while
those who went to the Wabash Point settlement were largely Methodist. It
was a kind of common understanding between the two settlements that persons
coming to the new communities were to be mildly drawn to whichever settle-
ment their religious sentiments favored. This they were always ready to do,
ias all desired to keep up the home practices and felt easier and more content
among their own church people. Among the emigrants of this season may be
mentioned John and Michael Whetstone. John settled the farm where the
mineral springs were found, supposed to have been known to the aboriginal
inhabitants for ages. We have already described these springs and forbear any
further mention of them. Other settlers were Hezekiah and Mary Balch and
a son Walter AV., who is yet living in the neighborhood. They were from
Alabama, from the same community that had before sent out Theron E. Balch
and his wife. With Hezekiah and his family came Dr. Emmett Balch, who is
now at Buckley, 111. John W. and Louisa Rodgers came with Dr. Balch from
Alabama and settled with him here. Thomas and William Jeffi'ies, twa
prominent men, with their families, came this same season from Kentucky.
The old storehouse, in the possession of Mr. Azariah Jeffries, has a history in
itself which is Avell worth narrating. It is thus told by Mr. Jeff'ries : " The old
storehouse is situated on Section 10, on land entered by Thomas Jeffries, the first
Justice in this township. His children are Sallie Dieahl, James, John and
Azariah. His house was built in September, 1852, for a store by T. A. Mar-
shall and Milton True. Afterward, Mr. Marshall was elected to the State
Senate, and afterward a col 
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